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5.0 from 3 votes

Spiced Tomato Red Lentils

This delightful recipe is easy to follow and perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Asian , Vegan , gluten-free

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch ginger peeled and minced
  • 1 serrano chile chopped (optional but highly recommended)
  • 1 can whole tomatoes I used 28 fl oz/796 mL San Marzano tomatoes
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup split red lentils rinsed
To bloom the spices
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seed original recipe calls for black mustard
  • Heaping 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
To finish seasoning at the end
  • 1/2 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
To serve
  • 2 cups cooked brown basmati rice
  • cilantro chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot, dry stir fry onion over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once translucent, add garlic, ginger, and serrano chile if using, and cook until fragrant.
  2. Add whole tomatoes plus liquid, water, and rinsed split red lentils. Stir until bubbling and lightly crush the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon. Lower heat to a simmer and cover. Stir occasionally until lentils have expanded and the stew has thickened (about 35 minutes)
  3. To bloom the spices, in another pot, heat toasted sesame oil and olive oil over medium heat. Add the mustard and stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the cumin and turmeric and continue to stir until foamy.
  4. Pour oil and spice mixture into lentil pot and stir to blend. Add salt and pepper, adjust spices to taste.
  5. Serve over brown basmati rice with some fresh chopped cilantro on top!