Description
Creamy Marry Me Lentils is a comforting and flavorful vegetarian dish featuring green or brown lentils simmered in rich coconut milk and vegetable broth, infused with warm spices like cumin, turmeric, and paprika, then finished with fresh spinach for a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Lentils and Liquid
- 1 cup green or brown lentils
- 1 can (14 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 3 cups vegetable broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Spices
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
Other
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cool water until the water runs clear to remove any dirt or impurities. Dice the large yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves to have them ready for sautéing.
- Sauté onions: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until they become translucent, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add lentils and spices: Add the rinsed lentils to the pot along with the ground cumin, turmeric, and paprika. Stir and sauté the mixture for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the lentils are well coated with the spices and the aromas are released.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and full-fat coconut milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to combine.
- Simmer lentils: Partially cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the lentils simmer gently for 25-30 minutes until they become tender and the flavors meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add spinach and finish: Just before serving, stir in the fresh spinach leaves into the pot. Let them wilt in the residual heat for 1-2 minutes, then serve the creamy lentils warm.
Notes
- You can substitute the green or brown lentils with red lentils if you prefer a softer texture, but reduce simmering time accordingly.
- For a vegan version, ensure the vegetable broth is vegan-friendly.
- If coconut milk is not available, you can use heavy cream or another plant-based milk, but coconut milk adds a unique richness.
- Serve this dish over rice or with warm crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Adjust the spices to suit your taste—add chili powder or cayenne for heat.
