Wheat Hearty Lentil Curry (Printable)

Nutty whole wheat berries and tender lentils simmered with spices and veggies for a cozy dish.

# What You'll 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 fresh lemon juice
20 - Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for serving (optional)

# How-To:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the finely 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; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Sprinkle in ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, smoked paprika, and chili flakes. Stir continuously for 1 minute to release aromas.
05 - Incorporate rinsed whole wheat berries and lentils. Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
06 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes until wheat berries and lentils are tender and the consistency thickens. Stir occasionally and add more broth or water if necessary.
07 - Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in fresh lemon juice and half of the chopped cilantro.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining cilantro. Add a dollop of yogurt if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Nutty whole wheat berries add great texture
  • Richly spiced tomato curry warms the soul
02 -
  • For a gluten-free version substitute wheat berries with brown rice or quinoa
  • Add chopped spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes for extra greens
03 -
  • Toast spices gently to unlock deeper flavors
  • Add more broth gradually to reach desired curry thickness
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