Discover a delightful fusion of earthy flavors in our Lentil Mushroom Curry recipe. Dive into a world of wholesome goodness with this aromatic and vegan-friendly dish that's perfect for both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. Join us as we explore the rich textures and vibrant spices that make this curry a comforting and nutritious choice for any meal. Get ready to savor the umami goodness of mushrooms and the hearty goodness of lentils in every bite. Your taste buds will thank you!
Why you will love this Instant Pot Lentil Curry
This easy to make Lentil mushroom curry is a rich and hearty and great recipe. It is creamy, not too spicy and full of flavour and it is made entirely in one pot. It is a healthy Vegan, Oil free, Dairy free, Gluten free, Soy free and Nut free recipe.
However the stove top version is similar but the Instant Pot one is super quick and easy.
- Quick and Convenient: It's made in an Instant Pot, which significantly reduces the cooking time and effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you're short on time.
- Hearty and Filling: Packed with red and brown lentils, mushrooms, and other wholesome ingredients, this curry is both satisfying and nutritious.
- Rich and Creamy: The creamy sauce, made with light coconut milk and aromatic spices like garam masala and curry powder, provides a rich and delightful flavor.
- Versatile: This recipe is vegan, oil-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions.
- Budget-Friendly: Lentils are an affordable source of protein, making this dish a cost-effective option for both individuals and families.
- Leftovers Shine: This curry tastes even better the next day, so it's ideal for meal prep and enjoying as leftovers.
- Balanced Nutrition: Lentils are a great source of protein, magnesium, folate, iron, and fiber, making this curry a health-conscious choice.
- Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of cremini and baby bella mushrooms, aromatic spices, and additional seasonings creates a well-balanced and deeply flavorful dish.
- Delicious and Satisfying: Whether you're a seasoned vegan lentil curry enthusiast or trying it for the first time, the flavors and textures in this dish are sure to impress and satisfy your taste buds.
Ingredients
Each of these simple ingredients plays a unique role in creating a flavorful and well-balanced Lentil Mushroom Curry, making it a delightful and nourishing meal.
- Green Lentils: Hearty legumes that provide protein and fiber.
- Mushrooms: Earthy and meaty, adding depth to the curry.
- Sweet Potatoes: Sweet and creamy, they balance the flavors.
- Carrots: Bring sweetness and vibrant color.
- Onion: Serves as the savory flavor base.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic essence.
- Tomatoes: Provide juiciness and tang.
- Coconut Milk: Offers creaminess and a hint of sweetness.
- Baby Spinach: Adds freshness and nutrition.
- Vegetable Broth: Creates the savory liquid base.
- Spices: Turmeric, smoked paprika, curry powder, ginger, cumin, and red pepper flakes provide a blend of flavors, including warmth, smokiness, and heat.
- Pickled Jalapeno: Optional for extra heat and tang.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Enhance and season the dish.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a refreshing citrus finish.
How to make Lentil Mushroom Curry – step by step
Step 1: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add water, chopped onions, garlic, carrots, sweet potatoes, mushrooms. Sauté for few minutes and then add the rest of ingredients and spices. Pressure cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Set aside baby spinach and lemon juice for later.
Step 2: After pressure cooking, mix in lemon juice and baby spinach. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to suit your preferences.
Step 3: Serve your delicious Instant Pot Lentil and Mushroom Curry hot over white rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice. Garnish with lemon zest and cilantro.
Stove Top Directions for Lentil Mushroom Curry
If you prefer to make this recipe on the stovetop, just combine the ingredients in a large pot over medium heat and follow the same steps as in the Instant Pot recipe. The cooking time will need to be extended from 15 minutes to approximately 40 minutes.
How to Serve Mushroom Lentil Curry
Serving mushroom lentil curry offers a delightful experience, and you can present it in various ways to suit your preferences.
- Over Rice: Delight in your mushroom lentil curry served generously over a bed of fluffy, fragrant basmati rice, beautifully complementing the flavors and providing a satisfying base.
- With Naan Bread: Warm, soft naan bread, a perfect partner for sopping up the aromatic curry sauce, making it an ideal choice for scooping up every last bit of the curry's deliciousness.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb alternative, consider serving your curry over cauliflower rice, a healthier choice that still harmonizes beautifully with the curry's flavors.
- Wild Rice: Elevate your meal with a nutty and robust element by serving your curry on a bed of wild rice, adding a unique texture and flavor contrast to the dish.
- Garnishes: Enhance both the presentation and flavor of your mushroom lentil curry with fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of lemon zest, or slices of avocado or guacamole, infusing a burst of color and refreshing vibrancy.
- Sides: For an even more authentic experience, consider serving your curry with traditional Indian side dishes like raita (yogurt sauce) or a crisp cucumber salad. These sides not only balance the spices but also provide additional layers of taste.
- Family-Style: When sharing this delightful curry with a group, opt for a family-style presentation with a sizable serving dish at the center of the table. This encourages sharing and enables everyone to customize their servings to their liking.
- Leftovers: Keep in mind that this curry ages gracefully as leftovers. Store any surplus portions in airtight containers and reheat them for future meals. The flavors tend to meld and become even more delightful over time.
Substitutions for Mushroom Lentil Curry
If you need to make substitutions for mushroom lentil curry due to dietary restrictions, preferences, or ingredient availability, here are some alternatives for key ingredients:
- Mushrooms: If you don't enjoy mushrooms or have an allergy, you can substitute them with other vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant for a different texture and flavor.
- Lentils: Depending on the type of lentils specified in the recipe, you can often switch between red lentils, green, brown, or black lentils. Just be aware that cooking times may vary, so adjust accordingly.
- Coconut Milk: To make the dish lighter, you can use light coconut milk or even unsweetened almond milk. For a creamier texture without coconut flavor, try cashew or oat milk.
- Rice: Instead of basmati rice, you can use brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Vegetables: Customize the vegetable mix by adding your favorite vegetables or using what's in season.
- Fresh Ingredients: If the recipe calls for dried spices, consider using fresh ginger and garlic for a vibrant, aromatic flavor.
- Proteins: To increase the protein content, you can add tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas. Alternatively, if you're not following a vegan diet, you can incorporate chicken or shrimp.
- Greens: Swap baby spinach for other leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, or arugula according to your preference.
- Heat Level: Adjust the heat level by omitting or reducing the amount of spicy ingredients like red pepper flakes, pickled jalapeno, or jalapeno juice.
Keep in mind that substitutions may slightly alter the taste and texture of the dish, so choose options that align with your dietary needs and personal preferences. Experimenting with various substitutions can lead to new and exciting flavor combinations.
Equipment
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Storage
Here are some tips for storing mushroom lentil curry at room temperature, in the refrigerator, and for freezing:
Room Temperature: Avoid leaving cooked curry at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as it can lead to bacterial growth and foodborne illness.
Refrigeration: After cooling to room temperature, store the curry in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It's safe for consumption for 3-4 days.
Freezing: Cool the curry, portion it into airtight, labeled, freezer-safe containers, and freeze. It's best used within 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Fresh rice is recommended when serving the frozen curry.
Top tips
- Variety of Mushrooms: Use a mix of different mushroom varieties like cremini, shiitake, or portobello for a more complex and rich flavor.
- Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh ginger, garlic, and other spices for a more aromatic and authentic taste.
- Balanced Spices: Ensure a balance of spices. Taste the curry as you cook and adjust the spice levels according to your preferences.
- Lentil Variety: Mix different types of lentils such as red, green, and brown to create a diverse texture and flavor profile. Try to make yellow lentils or red lentil curry or lentil soup.
- Fresh Greens: Add fresh spinach, kale, or Swiss chard at the end of cooking to retain their vibrant color and nutrients.
- Slow Cooking: For more developed flavors, consider slow-cooking the curry on low heat or letting it simmer for a longer period.
- Meal Prep: This curry is a great candidate for meal prep. It often tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for make-ahead lunches or dinners.
- Customize Heat: Adjust the level of spiciness by controlling the amount of red pepper flakes, pickled jalapeno, or jalapeno juice. Add or reduce according to your heat tolerance.
- Consistency: If you prefer a thicker or thinner curry, adjust the quantity of vegetable broth or water accordingly.
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with additional ingredients like tofu, curry paste, olive oil, tomato paste, chickpeas, or other vegetables to suit your taste and dietary preferences
FAQ
Yes, lentils are naturally gluten-free, making them a suitable choice for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Yes, there are several types of lentils, including brown, green, red, and black. Each type has its unique flavor, texture, and best culinary uses.
Green lentils, unlike some other types of lentils, do not require soaking before cooking. They are known for their quick cooking time and typically retain their shape and texture without becoming mushy, making them a great choice for salads and side dishes.
Mushroom lentil curry can be a nutritious and wholesome dish, offering plant-based protein, fiber, and a range of essential nutrients, especially when prepared with balanced ingredients and minimal added fats.
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Recipe
Lentil Mushroom Curry, Vegan, Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup onion chopped (1 medium onion)
- 1 cup carrot small cubes (1large carrot)
- 2 cups sweet potato small cubes (1 medium potatoe)
- 12 large champion mushrooms chopped
- 5 garlic cloves chopped
- 4 cups green lentils
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 can coconut milk 400 ml
- 1 tablespoon Better than bouillon vegetable base
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon Himalayan salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ red pepper flakes
- 6 slices jalapeno pickled
- 2 tablespoon pickled halapeno juice
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 l water or vegetable broth
- 3 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Peel and finely chop the onion, carrot, sweet potato, garlic. Chop mushrooms.
- Set the Instant Pot to the sauté settings. Heat 3 tablespoon of water, add onion, carrots, sweet potatoes, garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté for another 3-4 minutes.
- Wash your lentils under water.
- Add water (or vegetable broth), marinara sauce, coconut milk followed by all the spices and mix well.
- Cancel sauté mode. Cover with the lead and turn the knob at the top to the "sealing" position. Pressure cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Once done cooking, release pressure after 15 minutes using the quick release button.
- Add lemon juice and baby spinach and mix. Taste and adjust as needed salt, spice, flavors.
- Meanwhile, make the rice with 2 cups of basmati rice and 3 cups of water.
- Serve hot over the rice and garnished with lemon juice, cilantro, avocado or guacamole.
Notes
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