Easy LENTIL RECIPE | Vegetarian and Vegan Meals | Lentil recipes

Easy lentil recipe | vegetarian and vegan meals | lentil recipes. This easy lentil recipe / dal recipe with pasta is perfect for a healthy vegan and vegetarian meals. A high protein and nutrient rich lentil recipe / Indian lentil curry recipe with pasta to add to your healthy vegetarian meals and plant based diet. This delicious lentil recipe is a great way to add zucchini and red lentils to your vegetarian meals. Check out my other lentil recipes / pasta recipes / vegetarian and vegan recipes for easy vegetarian meals for your busy week.

💬 Let me know if you enjoyed my healthy vegan lentil recipe / dal recipe.

LENTIL RECIPE INGREDIENTS: (4 to 5 servings approx.)

👉 TO COOK THE RED LENTILS:
1+1/2 Cup / 290g Red Lentils
5 cups / 1183ml Cup water
1+1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric
1+1/4 Teaspoon salt (I have added sea salt)

👉 LENTIL PASTA INGREDIENTS:
3 Tablespoon Cooking Oil (I have used light olive oil)
1/2 Teaspoon Whole Cumin Seeds
2 Cups / 275g Onion – chopped
2 Tablespoon / 25g Garlic – finely chopped
1/4 to 1/2 Teaspoon Chilli Flakes or to taste (you can use 1 to 2 whole dried Indian red chilies if you prefer)
2+1/2 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
1/8 Teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
1/4 to 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (Optional)
1/2 cup / 125ml Tomato Puree / Passata
2 Cups / 330g Tomatoes – 3 medium size tomatoes – chopped
Salt to taste (I have added total 1+1/4 teaspoon sea salt)
3 cups / 700ml Water
250g Lasagna sheet OR Pasta of choice
2+1/2 cups / 350g Zucchini (cut in 1/2 inch thick semi circles)

1/2 cup / 30g Cilantro (Coriander leaves) – chopped
3/4 cup / 50g Green Onions – chopped
Freshly ground black pepper to taste (I have added 1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper)
Drizzle of Olive Oil (I have added 1/2 to 1 tbsp of organic cold pressed olive oil)

▶️ METHOD:

Thoroughly rinse the red lentil (a few times), until the water runs clear and then soak for 1 hour. Drain the water from the soaked lentils and transfer it to a small pot. Add turmeric, salt and water. Cover and bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, give it a mix. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for about 30 minutes or until the lentils are cooked. Once cooked turn off the stove, cover the lid and set aside for later.

✅ 👉 PLEASE NOTE: The cooking time depends on the quality of the lentils. Sometimes one batch of red lentils can be drier than the others and may need more cooking time. SO ADJUST THE COOKING TIME ACCORDINGLY. It took me 30 minutes on my stove.

To a heated pot add cooking oil. Once the oil is heated, reduce the heat to low (this will prevent the cumin from burning) and add the cumin seeds. When the seeds starts to splutter, add the onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt and increase the heat back to medium. Fry on medium heat until the onion are golden brown. 👉 ADDING SALT TO ONIONS WILL RELEASE IT’S MOISTURE AND HELP IT COOK FASTER SO PLEASE DON’T SKIP IT.
Add the garlic, chili flakes and fry for about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Reduce the heat to low and then add dry spices (ground coriander, asafoetida and cayenne) and fry for about 30 seconds or so on low heat. Add the Tomato puree, fresh chopped tomatoes and salt to taste. Now increase the heat to medium-high. Mix well and fry the tomatoes until they disintegrate and forms a thick paste and the oil starts separating. Once the tomatoes are nicely fried, add the cooked red lentils and water. Mix thoroughly. Cover the lid of the pot and bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, add the pasta, chopped zucchini and mix well. Cover the lid again and cook the pasta on medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes. MAKE SURE TO STIR IN-BETWEEN TO PREVENT THE PASTA FROM STICKING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN. Uncover and cook for another 1 minute or so. Turn off the stove.

✅ 👉 UNDER-COOK THE PASTA by 3 to 4 minute, as it will continue to cook in the hot liquid even after the stove it turned off.

✅ 👉 Note: If the lentil dish is too thick for your liking, you can thin it out with boiling water. DO NOT add cold water to it, otherwise it will ruin the taste.

Add chopped cilantro, green onions, freshly ground black pepper, drizzle of olive oil and mix well. Serve hot with a side salad.

▶️ IMPORTANT TIPS:

👉 You can use any pasta of your choice

👉 To re-heat the lentil pasta, add some boiling water to it and heat it in the microwave or stove

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