Curried Lentils with Rice
and okra / curry aioli
This vegetarian meal, made of humble ingredients and Indian-inspired spices, got great reviews when it was first featured in 2017. We've added curry aioli to the original version of this recipe - it's great for dipping okra or drizzling over the lentils.
Smarts: Okra is a love-it or hate-it ingredient in our community of cooks. Roasting brings out a texture that may convert even those who think they don't like it, but feel free to use green beans or broccoli in its place.
Smarts: Okra is a love-it or hate-it ingredient in our community of cooks. Roasting brings out a texture that may convert even those who think they don't like it, but feel free to use green beans or broccoli in its place.
Tags
Ingredients
Baked Okra with Curry Aioli:
- Mayonnaise - 1/4 cup
- Curry powder - 1/2 tsp
- Okra - 1 lb, trimmed and halved (sub green beans or broccoli florets)
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
Curried Lentils:
- Onions, medium - 1, chopped
- Carrots - 8 oz, chopped
- Ginger, fresh (opt) - 1 tsp, chopped
- Garlic - 3 cloves, chopped
- Limes - 1, wedges
- Butter - 2 Tbsp
- Tomato paste - 3 Tbsp
- Garam masala - 1 1/2 tsp
- Cumin - 1 1/2 tsp
- Curry powder - 1 1/2 tsp
- Lentils, pre-cooked - 2 1/2 cups (look for vacuum-packed or canned)
- Stock, any type - 2 cups
- Yogurt, plain or Greek (opt) - for serving
Basmati Rice (enough for 2 nights):
- Water - 3 1/2 cups
- Rice, basmati - 2 cups
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories
526
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
12g
18%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
4g
18%
Just a moment...
Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
11mg
4%
Just a moment...
Sodium
402mg
17%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
89g
30%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
18g
72%
Just a moment...
Sugars
12g
Just a moment...
Protein
21g
Just a moment...
Prep
- Cook rice - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) Fill a saucepan with water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then add rice. Bring to a simmer, cover, turn heat down to low and cook until rice has absorbed all the liquid, 15 to 18 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Make curry aioli - (If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating before continuing with prep.) Whisk together mayonnaise and curry powder (portion for aioli). (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Onions / Carrots - Prep as directed and combine. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Ginger / Garlic / Limes - Prep as directed. Combine ginger and garlic. Store lime wedges separately. (Can be done up to 2 days ahead)
- Okra - Slice stems off okra and halve lengthwise.
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Make
- Heat oven to 450F / 232C.
- Toss okra with oil and spread onto a sheet pan. Season with some salt. Roast for 20 minutes, shaking once midway through.
- While okra roasts, heat a skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Add butter and then onions and carrots to melted butter. Saute until onions are soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add ginger, garlic, tomato paste, garam masala, cumin, and curry powder (portion for lentils). Saute until fragrant, ~1 minute. Stir in lentils and stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, until carrots are tender and lentils are creamy (add some more stock or water if the lentils start to look dry). Season with some salt.
- If rice was made ahead, reheat in the microwave (reserve half for Wednesday).
- Serve lentils over rice with a spoonful of yogurt on top. Enjoy okra and aioli on the side. Squeeze lime wedges over the entire dish.
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories
526
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
12g
18%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
4g
18%
Just a moment...
Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
11mg
4%
Just a moment...
Sodium
402mg
17%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
89g
30%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
18g
72%
Just a moment...
Sugars
12g
Just a moment...
Protein
21g
Just a moment...
Reviews
Ratings
31 reviews
The green beans (which I swapped for the okra) and curry aioli were my favorite. I could eat a billion of them. The lentils were fine but not thrilling. I added some spices to pep it up.
0 HelpfulMy family was just not a fan. Not sure how to say this exactly but it just tasted like spices. Cumin in particular.
0 Helpful