Vegan Whole Brown Lentils Curry

Ingredients:

1 cup whole brown lentils, rinsed and soaked overnight

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1-inch piece of ginger, minced

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon garam masala

Salt to taste

2 cups water or vegetable broth

Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

 Instructions:

Prepare Lentils: Rinse the lentils thoroughly and soak them overnight in plenty of water. Drain and set aside.

Cook Lentils: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pot. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Add Spices: Stir in the ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Cook the spices for about a minute until they release their aroma.

Incorporate Tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot. Cook until they become soft and start breaking down, about 5-7 minutes.

Cook Lentils: Add the soaked and drained lentils to the pot. Mix well with the onion-tomato mixture.

Add Liquid: Pour in the water or vegetable broth. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. If the mixture becomes too dry, you can add more water as needed.

Season and Finish: Once the lentils are cooked through, season with salt to taste and sprinkle in the garam masala. Stir well and let the curry simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Garnish and Serve: Garnish the lentil curry with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve hot with steamed rice, naan bread, or your favorite grain.