Wheat Hearty Lentil Curry (Printable)

Nutty wheat berries and tender lentils cooked in a rich, spiced tomato sauce for a hearty meal.

# What You Need:

→ Grains & Legumes

01 - 1 cup whole wheat berries, rinsed
02 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Aromatics & Vegetables

03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
06 - 2 medium carrots, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
09 - 4 cups vegetable broth

→ Spices

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
13 - 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
14 - 1 teaspoon garam masala
15 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

18 - ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
20 - Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt, for serving (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced carrots and red bell pepper to the pot; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Sprinkle ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, smoked paprika, and chili flakes over the vegetables. Stir continuously for 1 minute to release aromas.
05 - Add rinsed whole wheat berries and lentils to the pot. Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
06 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes, or until wheat berries and lentils are tender and curry thickens. Stir occasionally, adding more broth or water if necessary.
07 - Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in lemon juice and half of the chopped cilantro.
08 - Dish out portions, garnishing with remaining cilantro and a spoonful of yogurt if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • One pot meal
  • Richly spiced and wholesome
02 -
  • Contains wheat gluten
  • Use coconut yogurt for dairy free option
03 -
  • Toast spices briefly to unlock maximum flavor
  • Add greens towards the end to keep them fresh and bright
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