Crazy Over Lentils

During the first trimester of my pregnancy I had an aversion to just about all of my favorite healthy foods. Once the icky feeling went away and I entered the second trimester I knew that I had to get back on track and nourish my body and my growing belly with high quality meals.

This morning I woke up to realize that we had no leftovers for lunch since Neil had made some delicious blueberry pancakes for us for dinner so I headed to the kitchen to whip something up. In my pantry I found red lentils which are full of fiber and folic acid both of which are important for a healthy pregnancy. Lentils are also energizing which is wonderful in helping fight the fatigue of pregnancy.

Red Curry Lentil and Vegetables

Serves 4

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil or canola oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups green beans, washed, trimmed and cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon red curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas
  • 1 cup dried red lentils
  • 1.5 cups vegetable broth
  • 2.5 cups water
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach

Heat the oil in a medium heavy bottom pot over medium- high heat.  Add the onion and carrot and cook for 5-7 minutes, until tender. Stir in the garlic and green beans and cook for 3 minutes.  Stir in the curry, salt and pepper and cook for one minute.  Add the chickpeas, lentils, broth and water and bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender.  Uncover and add the peas and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the spinach at the last minute and stir until wilted.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with brown rice, naan or pita.

This is so good I may have eaten it for every meal today.

3 Comments

    • You will probably have to increase your cooking time to 30 minute and may end up with more broth because brown lentils do not break down the same way that red do, however I would say that it will still be tasty!

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