Red Lentils & Spinach in Tikka Masala Sauce Recipe

For me…Cooking is therapy.

For a number of reasons.

Besides being creative and having me do something with my hands…it helps me put into perspective what is important and what isn’t.

And what I’ve learned along the way, that making homemade Masala Sauce isn’t.

Seriously…not worth it for the one-time-every-two-months we make it.

And while it isn’t “cool” to say this…I will from here on out be purchasing Saffron Road Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce anytime the craving for Indian Food sets in. WAY more economical to pick up a packet than pick up all the random spices I need (there were four) and crush it into a mortar and pestle. (And it is available at Whole Foods.)

Okay….with that off my chest. You need to make this recipe if you are looking for Indian Comfort Food – right amount of spice, nuttiness, creaminess, and it has legumes.

Red Lentils & Spinach in Tikka Masala Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
1 small red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet of Saffron Road Tikka Masala Sauce (or go nuts and make your own – more power to you)
1 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes (slightly pureed in food processor or blender)
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup vegetable broth
3/4 cup red lentils
2 handfuls fresh spinach, torn slightly
1/2 cup greek yogurt (optional)

Directions

1. Heat cast-iron skillet and oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 4-5 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and cook for one more minute.

2. Add Saffron Road Tikka Masala Sauce, stewed tomatoes, and coconut milk and bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat to medium low and add vegetable broth and lentils. Cook, stirring often, until lentils are tender (around 25 minutes). If dish gets too “pasty” before lentils are tender, add extra vegetable broth.

4. Fold in spinach and top with greek yogurt. Eat by the spoonful and enjoy!

Here are more recipes from Kelly’s Kitchen.

Disclosure: This is a paid-recipe creation for Saffron Road Foods. The written remarks are entirely my own, as well as my distaste for a mortar and pestle. Want more information – check out my full disclosure statement.