Hi Friends!
Happy Tuesday 
Today I’m starting a series called My Go-To Meals. I have no idea how long it will last…but I’ll try to post one once a week…until I run out! I’ve been thinking lately about my go-to meals. Everyone has them. The ones you make so often you could pretty much do it in your sleep. The ones that are quick, relatively healthy, quick, enjoyed by the whole family, quick….for those nights you just don’t feel like cooking.
I know I have several. And a lot of them aren’t on this blog because, quite frankly, I don’t follow a recipe. I use what I have on hand, I don’t measure things, and the beauty of these “recipes” are that they’re still delicious every single time.
But, in an effort to help you guys…because I know many of you are searching for quick, easy meals…I’ve decided to start paying more attention when I make these meals. Maybe snapping a few pictures and taking a few measurements….so that I can share them with all of you!
Today’s recipe is one of our all-time favs. I make it pretty much once a week. It’s great for packing in a lot of vegetables and it’s also a great recipe for using lentils because they totally absorb the curry flavor and you really don’t even notice that they’re in the dish.
Lentil & Vegetable Curry
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Keywords: stovetop entree vegetarian healthy lentils vegetables Indian
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 1/2 c red potatoes, chopped
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1/2 c carrots, sliced
- 1/2 c onion, sliced
- 1 c green beans, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 Tbsp red curry paste (hot or mild)
- 1-4 dried red peppers (to taste)
- 1 c lite coconut milk
- 1 c veggie broth
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch + water
- 2 c lentils, cooked
- 1 c brown basmati rice
- naan
Instructions
1. In a large dutch oven, saute the garlic in some EVOO over medium heat.
2. Place the chopped potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave 30 sec-1 min until slightly tender.
3. Cook rice according to package directions. Set aside when finished.
4. Add all vegetables to the dutch oven and saute until the peppers and carrots are crisp tender.
5. Add the curry paste and dried peppers and mix well.
6. Add the lentils, coconut milk and the vegetable broth.
7. Mix the cornstarch and water together and add to the mix. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly and vegetables are cooked to desired doneness.
8. Serve with rice and naan.
I love making a big batch so we have leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. Trader Joe’s is my go-to store for this dinner. We buy their frozen naan all the time. It’s so freaking good. I just heat it up in the toaster oven while the curry is simmering. We also buy our lite coconut milk there. They sell it for 99 cents a can! AND they have quick cooking brown basmati rice that cooks in 12 minutes.
Side note- The reason I microwave the potatoes is because they take so much longer to cook than all the other vegetables. Nuking them for 30 sec- 1 min gives them a head start so they end up being the perfectly cooked by the time the other veggies are ready. If you don’t want to microwave them, you can just add them to the dutch oven first and saute them for a while before adding the other veggies.
All in all, this dinner can be ready in under 30 minutes and it’s a winner every time! If you’re a meat-eater, feel free to sub chicken for the lentils. I also make this with chickpeas sometimes.
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
PS. I kicked my own butt last night with an awesome workout that I’ll share with you on Friday but this is just a reminder for all of you fitness-minded people out there that you should consider joining Fitfluential! If you follow me on Twitter, you see me tweeting with the #fitfluential hashtag all the time. It’s an amazingly inspirational community and you can participate on many different levels! You don’t have to be a blogger to get involved. If you’re interested, click here to check out their website and join in the fun!
I’m pretty sure I could live on curry.
Yay for FitFluential! It is an awesome community.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Wining and Dining at Food & Wine
GREAT idea for a new series.
I need I need.
(WHO KNEW about the microwater ‘tater tip?!)
Miz recently posted..What 3 words would others use to describe you?
This sounds delicious, Lindsay…I LOVE lentils…add that protein!!
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don’t Count recently posted..The Fog Is Lifting
Curry and Naan oh my! Love both of those sooooo much! My Mom makes her own Naan Bread, it’s 2 die for! Yummmmeh!
Kierston recently posted..Sticks and Stones….
p.s. great idea for a series! Looks forward to your eats!
Kierston recently posted..Sticks and Stones….
that DOES sound really good and fast and easy!! love it!!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Joining A Gym
I like the sound of this series!
I also like curry and how quickly it can turn a meal from meh to woohoo!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Shopping Win
YUM!! You are absolutely right! Curries don’t need to take a ton of time to make and you can basically throw anything in to make it delicious. This sounds AWESOME! Need to add it to my list of recipes to try
Can’t wait to read more of your go-to recipes!
Aparna B. recently posted..First Ever Foodie Penpals
I really really really need to get cooking with lentils.
Meredith @ DareYouTo recently posted..FitBlogNYC Day part II
Oh yum that looks so tasty!! You know, I don’t know if I’ve ever had lentils. How crazy is that?!
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Jersey Shore Mini Vacation
oooh, I can tell I’m going to LOVE this series!! i love a good curry so bookmarking to try
thanks for sharing!
and this go-to meal is so much more awesome-looking than my go-to meals! jealous of your cooking skills, lady!
I CANNOT WAIT TO TRY THIS! I love all of these things and this looks fantastic. Perfect to make at the beginning of the week and take to work for lunch. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!!
Sara recently posted..It Only Takes One Insta(gram)nt…
I LOVE this idea!! It’s so true – we have a bunch of healthy “go-to” meals that we often think are too easy / too quick to blog about. But readers need these go-to meals too!! Thanks for sharing, and the idea. I might have to feature my own-go-to meal and reference back to this post (like What I Ate Wed!!… you might have started something here Lindsay!!). Quick Question – do you know of any substitute in this recipe for coconut milk? I’m allergic
Was just writing on Gina’s blog yesterday about this unfortunate circumstance in my enjoyment of Thai food. Let me know what you think might work! Thanks 
Kelly @ No Sugar Sweet Life recently posted..Mother’s Day Pampering + Hip Denver Cafe
PS. Maybe you should make a logo for the “go-to meals” idea. (Like WIAW)
Kelly @ No Sugar Sweet Life recently posted..Mother’s Day Pampering + Hip Denver Cafe
I love having a little arsenal of go-to meals. At the top of my list is tortilla pizzas and stir fry!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite recently posted..The Big Salad
YUM! I just made a lentil concoction last night and it is quickly becoming my go-to too. SO yummy and versatile! I must try this too!
jobo recently posted..“Shift your focus”
Great post… it looks so colorful. I want to eat it over some rice (white or brown). Nom Nom Nom
PavementRunner recently posted..An Easy 10 with Heather Montgomery
Okay, I’m the oddball (what’s new) and have no go-to meals. I rarely cook the same thing twice, even for company!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Drinks Throughout the Day
i definitely have go to meals, it seems like most of them are lunch items.
This looks like it’d be good on my lunch menu!
Alysia @ Slim Sanity recently posted..legs & core
Love this idea! I have tons of quick, go-to meals. But I do sometimes share them on my blog even thought they’re easy peasy. I need to try this one!
P.S. Missed you at the Dirty Girl!!!! Hope you’re feeling better though. <3
Stefanie @TheNewHealthy recently posted..We got DIRTY {dirty girl mud run}
Considering most nights I just throw whatever is in the fridge into a bowl and call it dinner–much to the shock of people who live with me and think, “I thought food bloggers cooked epic meals all the time?”–I can empathize with the “go to” meals idea.
Unfortunately I don’t think people would like to eat what I normally come up with.
I do have weird tastes.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Mukimame Hummus & Eggplant “Fries”
great recipe! im definitely in a cooking slump so i look forward to u giving me recipes to make for dinner
amy@healthyhungryhappy.com recently posted..Clean Banana Pancakes
Hi Lindsay! Can you tell me a little more about FitFluential? I just started my blog back in February and would love to learn more and get more involved. Thanks!
yes! if you’re a blogger I would definitely apply to be a fitfluential ambassador. it’s a pretty big company, growing rapidly but there’s no contracts or anything. it gives you access to opportunities for different fitness and health related events around the country, there are facebook groups just for the ambassadors where you can promote your blog posts and ask fellow ambassadors to help spread the word about your posts on twitter/pinterest etc. You get opportunities to work with big fitness brands as well as smaller companies. If you’re on twitter it’s an amazing community to be part of. Everyone is SO motivating and supportive. If you need motivation to hit the gym, there are people there…if you have an awesome workout, people will congratulate you…i’d definitely check it out! email me if you have more specific questions!
This looks fabulous!! I love love love curry!!
And you have to love a dish that cooks in 20 minutes!!
Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian recently posted..Green Smoothie Review and Winner
Just pinned this recipe…thanks for sharing!!
Kristen recently posted..Flavorful Friday: Brownie Truffles {Low-Fat & High Fiber}
I love this series idea! So you are making me drool with all of your great recipes. I can’t wait to make this!!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..Zen Garden
Lentils & curry? Yum! This recipe looks amazing, these are two of my favorite things so I’m excited to give it a try!
great idea for a series!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..Tortellini Soup
This looks delicious, Lindsay. Thank you so much for sharing your go-to recipes – Definitely my favorite type of recipe!
Can I just say thank you? I’ve been looking for a lentil meal to make, and this sounds really good! I may have to make a few adjustments (don’t have every thing right now), but this is such a great starting base. I’m looking forward to your other Go-To Meals!
And, by the way, isn’t that true? I find myself making the same thing so often that – just like you! – I don’t need a recipe. But – and my husband and I both agree – you end up eating the same thing over and over. This will bring a nice change!
I made this tonight and we loved it!! I thought I had red curry paste, but it turned out to be tom yum paste…..still awesome
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Kristen recently posted..What Is Your Workout Personality?
awesome!!! so glad to hear it! it’s one of our favs
I’ve made this twice and now it’s officially one of my go-to meals! I love that your can add whatever and however many veggies you want. I use Trader Joe’s split red lentils which get mushy and make it almost into a soup. Throw in some quinoa and you’re good to go!
Alexis @ Hummusapien recently posted..What I’m Loving This Year