Lentil Curry Instant Pot (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 medium onion, finely diced.
02 -
1 tablespoon of cooking oil (olive or similar).
03 -
2 minced garlic cloves.
04 -
2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger (from a small piece).
05 -
1 teaspoon curry powder.
06 -
1 teaspoon cumin powder.
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1/2 teaspoon salt.
08 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
09 -
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder.
10 -
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for spice, optional.
11 -
1 cup rinsed green or brown lentils.
12 -
1 cup coconut milk.
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2 cups veggie broth or water.
14 -
A handful of chopped, fresh cilantro (for topping).
15 -
Juice from a fresh lemon (for serving).
16 -
1 can of diced tomatoes (14 oz size).
17 -
Optional: red or yellow lentils, but expect them to get softer when cooked.
# Instructions:
01 -
Switch on the Instant Pot's sauté mode. Warm the oil until it shimmers. Toss in the onion and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden. Stir in garlic and ginger. Keep stirring for another minute so it doesn't stick or burn.
02 -
Mix in the curry powder, cumin, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and the cayenne (if you'd like spicy). Stir everything for a minute until the mix smells toasty and aromatic.
03 -
Pour in the broth, canned tomatoes, and lentils. Stir them together well to make sure everything’s evenly combined.
04 -
Close the lid tightly, ensuring the valve is on 'Sealing.' Select the 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' option and set the timer to 15 minutes on high. When the timer finishes, leave it alone for 10 minutes to naturally release pressure before carefully doing a quick-release for the rest.
05 -
Open the lid once the pressure's released. Pour in the coconut milk and give it a good stir.
06 -
Taste and tweak the flavors if needed. Dish it out, top with chopped cilantro, and squeeze some lemon juice over. Serve it hot!
# Notes:
01 -
Lentil Choices: Go for green or brown lentils if you’re using an Instant Pot—they give a firm texture. Use red or yellow for a softer, creamier result.
02 -
No Instant Pot? Cook everything on the stovetop and follow the same steps. Just adjust how long you cook the lentils based on their type.
03 -
Low-Effort Cooking: Once you sauté, the rest pretty much takes care of itself, making this great for busy schedules.