Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Quick Lentil and Butterbean Curry with Peas with Couscous (vegan)

Recipe from The Happy Pear
Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen
Makes 4 generous servings

This tasty, comforting dish was very quick to make, perfect for a week night meal.  It even tasted better the next day, so also perfect for meal prep day.

1 cup couscous*
1 cup boiling water

2 cups sliced mushrooms (oyster, shiitake, button, cremini)
Water
1 Tablespoon fresh minced ginger
4 cloves garlic, minced
Chili pepper (I used ½ jalapeno seeded and minced.)
2 Tablespoons tamari
2 Tablespoons curry powder
2 cups cooked brown lentils, rinsed and drained (canned lentils can be used) 
1 (15 oz.) can butterbeans, rinsed and rained
1 (15 oz.) can chopped tomatoes
2-3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
1 (15 oz.) can lite coconut milk or full fat coconut milk
1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
4 dried curry leaves (optional)
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
Kosher salt, to taste 
Fresh ground pepper, to taste

Put 1 cup couscous in a heat proof bowl.  Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir and place a plate over the bowl.  Let this sit while you make the curry. (This curry will also taste great with brown rice, but making couscous is very quick.)
Heat a non-stick skillet to medium high heat.  Add the mushrooms.  Sprinkle with a bit of salt.  Allow the mushrooms to brown a bit.  Add a splash of water if they begin to stick.  Add the ginger, garlic, and pepper.  Stir for about 1 minute.  Add the tamari and the curry powder.  Stir for about 1 minute.  Add the lentils, the butterbeans, the tomatoes and the coconut milk. Mix well.  Stir in the scallions.  Bring to a simmer.  Allow to simmer about 5 minutes.  Add a splash of water if needed.  Add cilantro and curry leaves (if using), the peas and lime juice.  Season with salt and pepper.  
Remove the plate from the couscous bowl.  Use a fork to fluff up the couscous.  Put some couscous in a rimmed plate or bowl.  Add some of the curry and serve.

1 comment:

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