Name: Transcendental Lentils
Prep time: 360 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 435 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 500 g brown lentils; 100 g butter; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1 pinch ground cardamom; 250 g pumpkin cubed optional steamed; 250 g tomato optional

by aussiegreg Last updated on 07/09/2019

Spiced pulses as a vegetarian main meal, or as a side dish, easily bulked up with potato or pumpkin. - aussiegreg

Ingredients

500 g brown lentils
100 g butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 pinch ground cardamom
250 g pumpkin cubed optional steamed
250 g tomato optional

Method

Step 1

Check over the lentils for any foreign matter. Wash in three lots of boiling water, then cover with water in a heavy pot and leave to soak overnight (unless using pressure cooker or cooking all day).
Step 2

Bring to the boil, add salt, cover and simmer for two hours (about six hours if unsoaked, about 45 minutes in a pressure cooker) or until lentils are starting to break up.
Step 3

In a small pan melt butter and add spices, sautÃ©ing gently for a minute or three until they give off a full aroma (ensure spices do not burn).
Step 4

Remove lentils from heat and slowly add spiced butter.
Step 5

Add pumpkin or potatoes and/or tomatoes if desired.
Step 6

Return to heat and simmer for another 30 minutes, stirring regularly (preferably with a flat-edged wooden spatula) to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Equipment

1 pressure cooker

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

Take care when adding the butter as it may spit. You could also use potatoes instead of pumpkin but both are optional. Tomatoes can be fresh or canned and are also optional.