Crockpot Red Lentil and Squash Curry

1 3/4 cups dried red lentils
6 cups vegetable broth
1 15 oz. can coconut milk
2 large carrots, diced
1 acorn or delicata squash, diced
1 cup frozen green peas
2 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp dried minced onion
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
3/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp salt

Add all of the ingredients except for the lemon juice and salt to a slow cooker. Cook for 8 hours on low. When finished, stir in the lemon juice and salt. Add additional salt if needed.

Curried Lentils with Vegetables

1 1/4 cup green lentils
2 tsp cumin seed
1 1/2 tsp coriander seed
1 tsp mustard seed
1/2 tsp fennel seed
1/2 tsp fenugreek seed
1/4 tsp black peppercorns
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp mild paprika
1/4 tsp red pepper
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp minced ginger
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried minced onion
1 tbsp tomato paste
3 cups water
3 medium carrots, diced
2 bell peppers, diced
1 small potato, cubed
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 1/4 tsp salt

 Rinse and pick over the lentils, then set aside. In a dry pan, toast the cumin, coriander, mustard, fennel, fenugreek, and peppercorns until fragrant. Add to a spice grinder along with the dried ginger, turmeric, paprika, and red pepper, then grind until fine. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-low heat and add the garlic, ginger, onion, and spice mixture, stirring frequently. Cook for a minute and add the tomato paste, then cook for another minute. Add the lentils and stir until coated, then add the water followed by the carrots, peppers, and potato. Raise the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and lower to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes. Add the lemon juice and salt and cook for another 2 minutes. Add additional salt to taste.

Crockpot Red Lentil Curry

1 1/2 cup boiling water
3/4 cup dried coconut
3 cups red lentils
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
4 tbsp red curry paste
4 cups warm water
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp dried minced onion
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp cane sugar
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp salt

In a blender carafe, combine the boiling water with the dried coconut and let sit for 10-15 minutes, then blend together and strain, reserving the coconut milk. While the coconut is soaking, thoroughly rinse the lentils, then add them to a large crockpot along with the can of tomatoes and curry paste. Stir until combined, then add the water, ginger, garlic, curry powder, dried onion, red pepper, and sugar, and stir again. Stir in the coconut milk, then cook in the crockpot on high for 5 hours. Once the lentils have finished cooking, stir in the lime juice and salt. Add additional salt to taste.

Groundnut Stew

2 tsp coriander seed
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp mild paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried minced onion
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 cup natural peanut butter
4 cups vegetable stock
3/4 cup green lentils
2 medium carrots, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 1/4 tsp salt

Juice from 1/4 medium lemon

In a spice grinder, grind together the coriander, ginger, paprika, and red pepper. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the ginger, garlic, dried onion, and spice mixture. Cook for one minute, then add the tomatoes and peanut butter and stir to combine. Stir in the vegetable stock, then add in the lentils, carrots, and bell pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. Stir in the salt and lemon juice, cook for another 2 minutes, then add additional salt to taste. If a thicker stew is desired, briefly puree the stew with an immersion blender.

Curried Red Lentils

1 1/2 cup red lentils
2 tsp coriander seed
1 1/2 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp mild paprika
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp cayenne
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tbsp minced ginger
1/2 tsp dried minced onion
1 tbsp tomato paste
3 cups water
juice from 1/2 lemon
3/4 tsp salt

Rinse and pick over the lentils, then set aside. In a spice grinder, combine the coriander, cumin, paprika, ginger, garam masala, and cayenne and grind until fine. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-low heat and add the garlic, ginger, onion, and spice mixture, stirring frequently. Cook for 30 seconds minute and add the tomato paste, then cook for another minute. Add the lentils and stir until coated, then add the water. Raise the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and lower to a simmer and cook for 35 minutes. Add the lemon juice and salt and cook for another 2 minutes, then serve.

Summery Lentil Soup

3 medium carrots, diced
3 medium zucchini, diced
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried minced onion
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup green and/or red lentils, rinsed
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne
juice from 1/2 lemon
black pepper and additional salt to taste

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add the carrots, zucchini, and 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and onion and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.  Stir in the tomatoes with their juice, lentils, vegetable broth, water, and the herbs.  Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.  Remove the bay leaf, then add the remaining 1 tsp salt, the cayenne, and the lemon juice and stir.  Use an immersion blender to puree the whole vegetables into the soup.  Add additional salt and pepper as needed.

Winter variation: Reduce olive oil to 2 tbsp and substitute the zucchini for 1/2 bunch of kale, torn or sliced into strips, added to the soup for the last 10 minutes of cooking.  Reduce the lemon juice to 1/2 tbsp and add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

Curry Lentil Soup

This soup is excellent when you're sick.  If cooking any other time, use only 1 jalapeño and 4-5 cloves of garlic.

3 tbsp vegetable oil
1.5 tbsp grated ginger
9 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
2 jalapeño chiles, de-seeded and diced
4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
2 cups hot water
1 cup green lentils, rinsed well
3/4 cup red lentils, rinsed well
2 small red or purple potatoes, diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 tbsp lime juice (from half a lime)
1 tsp - 1 1/4 tsp salt

Add the vegetable oil to a large pot and place on medium heat.  Once the oil is hot add the ginger, garlic, cumin seed, coriander, curry powder, garam masala, and jalapenos and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.  Add the vegetable stock and hot water, the green and red lentils, and the potatoes and carrots, then bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and cook at a mild simmer for 1 hour.  Add the salt and lime juice and cook for 2 more minutes, uncovered.  Add more salt to taste if needed.  Use an immersion blender to slightly puree to desired thickness.