Spicy Lentil and Vegetable Dish

Warm, vibrant, and packed with bold flavors, this Spicy Lentil and Vegetable Dish offers a hearty, nourishing meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner. Featuring protein-packed red lentils simmered to perfection with wholesome vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and red bell pepper, this one-pot wonder is elevated by a tantalizing blend of spices, including cumin, coriander, paprika, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a flavorful kick. Finished with creamy coconut milk, this dish boasts a luscious texture and is naturally gluten-free and vegan. Perfect served over rice, with warm naan, or enjoyed solo, this recipe is your ultimate go-to for comfort food with a healthy twist.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 1 diced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, diced zucchini
• 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon (to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional) fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and drain the red lentils in cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.

Step 5

Add the diced carrots, red bell pepper, and zucchini. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, and rinsed lentils. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

When the lentils are tender and the mixture has thickened slightly, stir in the coconut milk. Allow it to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 10

Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

Step 11

Serve hot with rice, naan, or on its own.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2066.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1137.6

Total Fat 39.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6071.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 168.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.5g	0%
Total Sugars 65.5g
Protein 41.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 391.6mg	0%
Iron 18.1mg	0%
Potassium 4512.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.5%

Protein: 13.9%

Carbs: 56.6%