Red Lentils with Caramelized Onions is definitely one of the meals in heavy rotation at my home starting as soon as the temperature drops. The temperature dropped from 100º to 85º today so I went for it.
This Red Lentil recipe is an Indian-style preparation like a dal where the lentils fall apart as they cook and create a thick soupy stew. Although it is a vegetarian meal, it will definitely satisfy even the most hardcore meat eater.
I have been making this dish for years and still love it as much as the first time. Red lentils, coconut milk, garlic and curry powder are the base of this recipe. It only takes 30 minutes to cook along with the caramelized onions and basmati or jasmine rice to round it out. I used to make a side dish of sautéed spinach but now I add spinach or swiss chard to the lentils the last 5 minutes. It saves me from washing one more pan!!
*Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you,
I will earn a commission if you click the product and make a purchase.
Red Lentils with Carmalized Onions
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A great vegetarian meal to satisfy everyone.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola, coconut or grapeseed oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1–1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed
- 1 cup coconut milk, plus additional to taste
- 3–1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup greens (spinach, swiss chard), thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Caramelized onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 3 onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat oil in large deep skillet.
- Add garlic, ginger and curry powder and stir until fragrant.
- Add lentils, coconut milk, water and salt, stir.
- Bring to a boil, lower heat to low and cook for 20-25 minutes. The lentils should be the texture of a thick soup. If it becomes too thick, add additional water and/or coconut milk.
- Add the greens the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir and cover until greens wilt.
- Add cilantro and stir.
Onions
- Heat a skillet with oil, then add onions and salt.
- Continue to cook on low flame, cover and cook for 20 minutes, stir every 5 minutes.
- Uncover and continue cooking until onions are golden brown.
Notes
Serve lentils with rice and a tangle of caramelized onions on top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Indian
SHARE THE RECIPE