It’s been months since I posted a new one pot recipe. Who have I become?! Thankfully, Gena and her new cookbook have come to our rescue. Within the pages of Power Plates, I found this amazing creamy one pot curried lentils and quinoa recipe. Made by simmering green lentils, quinoa, an ample dose of turmeric and other spices, and leafy greens with a touch of creamy coconut milk, it totally hits the spot in these trying winter times! I’m also giving away a copy of the book; please scroll down below the recipe to enter!
I’ll be honest with you, I have a total of 7 (!!) cookbooks waiting for a review & recipe right now, all them tantalizing and beautiful. But despite my earnest attempts at using a FIFO queue, I couldn’t resist moving Power Plates to the top of my list. At a time when I’m trying harder than usual to eat healthy, this book just made it so damn easy! Gena has a way with creating flavorful, wholesome, nourishing dishes, and in the dark of February I seem to need that more than ever.
Some other appealing dishes you’ll find in this book include charred broccoli and freekeh salad, golden beet risotto, and roasted zucchini tacos. But today is all about these fantastic, perfectly spiced, creamy one pot curried lentils and quinoa.
I made a few small changes for personal taste, because I’m at least hanging on to the part of my personality that can’t follow recipes. Solely fueled by my efforts to make our meals a little bit lower fat and higher fiber, I reduced both the coconut oil and coconut milk; and I added quite a bit of extra kale because I bought too much and it cooked down into a totally appropriate amount anyway :). My only other change was to swap in garam masala for curry powder and reduce the salt a little bit. I go through garam masala like hotcakes but curry powder, not so much, so this just made more sense for me.
If you believe in the “bean + green + grain” way of constructing plant-based meals then this one pot quinoa and lentils will fit the bill for you! Like all of the recipes in Power Plates it’s balanced in both nutrition and flavor, and with everything cooking together in one pan it’s exceedingly easy for me to imagine making this regularly. Thank you Gena for helping us cure our winter blues with this fabulous and stunning vegan cookbook, full of unique yet familiar plant-based delights!
Creamy One Pot Curried Lentils and Quinoa
These creamy one pot curried lentils and quinoa cook together in one pan, for easy cleanup! A nourishing vegan main dish that's fast enough for a weeknight!
Gena says: "It’s hard not to love this one-pot dish, a quick-cooking curry that’s fragrant, creamy, and nutritious. Curries are a mainstay for me, and this one gets bonus points both for its simplicity and thepowerful double dose of plant protein from quinoa and lentils."
Recipe adapted with permission from Power Plates, copyright © 2018 by Gena Hamshaw. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 1 small white or yellow onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup dried green lentils
- 3/4 cup quinoa rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 6 cups firmly packed chopped kale (180g) (or use chard, spinach, or collard greens)
- 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk (or use cashew cream)
- 2 tbsp freshly-squeezed lime juice
- freshly-ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until tender and translucent. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
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Stir in the salt, garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 45 seconds, or until fragrant.
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Add the lentils, quinoa, and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. If the curry is very thick, you can add 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) water to thin it slightly.
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Add the greens, cover, and cookfor 5 minutes, letting the greens steam on top of the curry. Stir the greens in, then add the coconut milk and lime juice. Season with black pepper, then taste and adjust the seasonings if desired. Serve right away, with any additional toppings you like (fresh cilantro, toasted cashews, etc.).
Want to win a copy of Power Plates for yourself and discover more recipes beyond these one put curried lentils and quinoa? I’m making it easy this time. To enter:
- Leave a comment on this post with a recipe from the book you are excited to try.
- I’ll give you an extra entry if the email you use to comment is on my newsletter mailing list!
You have until 00:00 EST on February 15th to enter. I’ll draw a winner then and contact you via email! Anyone entering must have a United States mailing address.
Note: First-time commenters have their comment held for moderation (this is because I get literally 1,000 spam comments per day) so it may take some time for them to start showing up!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this cookbook for review. All writing and opinions are my own. Gena and her publisher are also generously providing the giveaway copy.
I'm Shannon, the writer and photographer of Yup, it's Vegan! I'm a morning person based in Baltimore, USA. My mission is to create healthy plant-based recipes that anyone would enjoy, using seasonal produce with inspiration from global flavors.
Stephanie says
The Kimchi Fried Rice looks tasty!
Hannah says
I’d like to try the Curried Jamaican Stew!
Greta says
The west African peanut soup. I’d love to win this gem. Good Luck to all.
Leah says
I want to try the Chickpea Quesadilla, I love chickpeas and any new way to use them is great.
Cynthia says
I really like the idea of golden beet risotto. In fact I am going to try growing golden beets in my garden this year. Can’t wait for spring!
stacey says
I would love to try balsamic glazed tempeh!
tofutraveler - Carol says
Curried Lentils & Quinoa – almost doesn’t get any lovelier!
For me, Toast is a satisfying comfort food – simple, delicious, and filling. One of my most favorite meals is Avocado Toast accompanied by a mixed lettuce & tomato salad tossed with a simple vinaigrette, and a glass of fresh juice.
So – I think I would love the recipe: “Dinner Toast with Savory Mushrooms, Chickpeas, and Greens”. I’d make a cup of Dal to go with it and experience Bliss!
Good luck to All!
Cynthia Morgan says
The one pot lentils and quinoa is what I’m going to try. Those are two of my favorite foods.
Benjamin says
Although the reason I clicked on the link was to get the recipe for Creamy One Pot Curried Lentils and Quinoa (I’ll try it this weekend), after looking up the book on Amazon another recipe I would like to try is the West African Peanut Stew. Thanks for the great blog!
Tracie Holik says
I’m trying the one pot creamy curried lentils! Perfect for our vegan fam who will be hibernating this snowy weekend for a couple days:) Thank you for all your ideas, Shannon!
Aronda Fields says
I looked through the cookbook and love the recipes. I am going to try the breakfast HASH with root veggies and tempeh then later, the roasted kabocha salad
Nancy says
There’s a lot to love in this cookbook it seems! A few recipes calling my name include the Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lentils, Spring Panzanella, and definitely the Baked Potatoes with Lemon Garlic Broccolini!
Carrie Smith says
The roasted zucchini tacos sound amazing! Thank you for the chance to win!
Elaine says
You had me at Roasted Zucchini Tacos! Also am going to try your Quinoa Lentils & Quinoa, love one-pot dinners! Love to win the cookbook…
Emilie Unkrich says
Be still my heart, as I would truly love to own this cookbook.
Thank you for this opportunity.
I would love to try Kimchi Fried Rice.
This recipe sounds intriguing.
Tracey Cowart says
Being a huge golden beet fan, the Golden beet Risotto will be the first recipe I try. This new cookbook is a must have for any Vegan!
paula rothman says
marakesh bowl with harissa vegetables!!!!!!!!! yum. but they all look awesome…
Anna says
Would love to try the Golden Beet Risotto!
Michelle Hathorus says
I’m anxious to try Gena’s “Harvest Bowls with Cider-glazed Tempeh and Roasted Root Veggies.” The book looks gorgeous and sounds delcious. I like the idea of the 6 chapters: breakfasts, salads, soups, bowls, stovetop meals, and bakes – MEALS! Thank you both for sharing your knowledge and experience with those of us at the beginning of our WFPB lifestyle!!
Kayley says
I’d be interested in trying one of the freekah dishes such as the Falafel Bowls with Freekah and Cauliflower.
Carla says
What a gorgeous book. Adding it to my wish list. The Golden Rice Bowls with Tofu Paneer sound good, but everything sounds amazing!
Things2Eat says
I wish I could enter the draw! Alas, I live in Canada. Oh well, I will just have to keep saving up. I just recently got Food52Vegan and am trying to cook from it this month, and I love Gena’s blog.
That said, this recipe is PERFECT for the meal plan this week. Thanks for sharing!
Cayra says
Sweet potatoe falafel?!?! Oh ya! Really excited st the opportunity to win this book. It looks great. Love your site. Thanks! 🙏
Breanne W. says
I want to try the one pot curried lentils and quinoa and win the cookbook. Thanks for sharing this recipe and leaving your insight.
Patsy says
Right now, I’d be excited to try the Gentle Morning Kitchari for comfort and connection. Thanks for offering a copy!
Sarah Bockemeier says
We like to use Curry powder, it really brings out the flavor of a dish and this Lentil dish seems like it would be a very flavorful recipe. I would like to try the golden beet risotto. We like beets and I’m always looking for a new recipe to try them in.
Nancy McGrath says
I would love to try the Greek Bowl with Lentil Keftedes and Cashew Tzatziki! Yum!
Elsi says
Sometimes a girl has to go on an adventure. I would love to try the West African Peanut stew! And I definitely want to win this book
Deb says
I love Gena’s Morning Glory muffins from Food52. One of our favorites. Excited about this book.
Maryann T says
The golden beet risotto sounds like it is calling my name. This lentil dish also looks so good-I have not had a curry based dish for a long time-I can’t wait to try this!