Spiced Coconut Tomato Green Lentil (Printable Version)
A rich and warming bowl featuring green lentils simmered with tomatoes, fragrant spices, and creamy coconut milk—perfect for a nourishing meal on chilly days.
# What You'll Need:
→ Lentils & Pulses
01 - 1 cup dried green lentils, rinsed
→ Aromatics & Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 large carrot, diced
06 - 1 bell pepper, diced
→ Spices
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp ground coriander
09 - 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
→ Liquids
12 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
13 - 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
14 - 4 cups vegetable broth
→ Other
15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
18 - Juice of 1/2 lime
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
# How To Make:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
02 - Add garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in carrot and bell pepper; sauté for another 3 minutes.
03 - Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using); toast spices for 1 minute.
04 - Pour in lentils, diced tomatoes (with juices), and vegetable broth. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Add coconut milk, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, or until lentils are tender and soup is thickened to your liking.
06 - Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It turns a can of coconut milk and a handful of dry lentils into a luxurious dinner for pennies.
- The spice blend is perfectly calibrated so you do not need ten different jars to get maximum flavor.
02 -
- Wait until the very end to add the lime juice, as adding it too early can inhibit the lentils from softening properly.
- Full fat coconut milk makes a significant difference in the final texture compared to the lite versions.
03 -
- Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs clear to avoid a soapy foam.
- If the soup becomes too thick, simply splash in a little water or extra broth to reach the desired consistency.