Lentil & Sweet Potato Curry with Brown Rice ($3 AUD per meal)

by Evgenii42

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  1. Evgenii42

    # Lentil & Sweet Potato Curry with Brown Rice

    **Serves:** 5

    ### **Ingredients**

    **For the Brown Rice:**

    – **2½ cups** uncooked brown rice
    – **5 cups** water or vegetable broth

    **For the Curry:**

    – **1 tbsp** olive oil
    – **1 large** onion
    – **3 cloves** garlic
    – **1 tbsp** fresh ginger (or **1 tsp** ground ginger)
    – **2 medium** sweet potatoes
    – **1** red bell pepper
    – **1 can (400g)** diced tomatoes
    – **1 can (400ml)** coconut milk
    – **1½ cups** red or brown lentils
    – **3 cups** vegetable broth or water
    – **2 tbsp** curry powder
    – **1 tsp** ground cumin
    – **1 tsp** turmeric
    – **1 tsp** paprika (optional for heat)
    – **2 cups** fresh spinach or kale (optional)
    – Salt and pepper to taste
    – Fresh coriander (cilantro) for garnish (optional)

    ### **Prep Work**

    1. **Rice Prep:** Rinse **2½ cups** brown rice under cold water.
    2. **Vegetable Prep:**
    – Peel and dice **1 large** onion.
    – Mince **3 cloves** garlic.
    – Mince **1 tbsp** fresh ginger (or measure **1 tsp** ground ginger).
    – Peel and cube **2 medium** sweet potatoes.
    – Chop **1** red bell pepper.
    – Rinse **1½ cups** lentils under cold water.
    3. **Measure Spices:**
    – **2 tbsp** curry powder
    – **1 tsp** ground cumin
    – **1 tsp** turmeric
    – **1 tsp** paprika (if using)

    ### **Cooking Instructions**

    1. **Cook the Brown Rice:**
    – In a pot, combine the rinsed rice with **5 cups** water or vegetable broth.
    – Bring to a boil over high heat.
    – Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for **40-45 minutes** until tender.
    – Fluff with a fork when done.

    2. **Start the Curry:**
    – Heat **1 tbsp** olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
    – Add the diced onion; sauté for **3-4 minutes** until translucent.
    – Add minced garlic (**3 cloves**) and ginger (**1 tbsp**); cook for **1 minute** until fragrant.
    – Stir in curry powder (**2 tbsp**), ground cumin (**1 tsp**), turmeric (**1 tsp**), and paprika (**1 tsp**, if using); cook for **1 minute**.

    3. **Add Vegetables & Lentils:**
    – Add cubed sweet potatoes and chopped bell pepper; stir to coat with spices.
    – Pour in diced tomatoes (**1 can, 400g**), coconut milk (**1 can, 400ml**), rinsed lentils (**1½ cups**), and vegetable broth or water (**3 cups**).
    – Stir well and bring to a boil.

    4. **Simmer the Curry:**
    – Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for **25-30 minutes** until lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.
    – Stir occasionally to prevent sticking; add more water if needed.
    – If using, stir in fresh spinach or kale (**2 cups**) during the last **5 minutes** until wilted.
    – Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    5. **Assemble the Meals:**
    – Evenly divide the cooked brown rice among five meal prep containers.
    – Top each with equal portions of the lentil and sweet potato curry.
    – Allow the meals to cool before sealing the containers.

    ### **Storage & Reheating**

    – **Storage:** Refrigerate for up to **4 days** or freeze for longer storage.
    – **Reheating:** At the office, microwave until hot throughout.
    – **Garnish:** Sprinkle with fresh coriander if desired.

    Note: I bought inredients in Woolworths and Aldi (St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia). It could be even cheaper if I buy rice and lentils bulk at an Indian supermarket.

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