Indian Lentil Curry of Great Happiness

What you need:

1 small mild/sweet yellow onion
1/4 cup olive oil or vegan butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups dry lentils (I used green; red would be good too)
1/2 tablespoon whole cumin seeds
5 cups water
1" chunk ginger root, peeled and minced
3 large cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 red jalapeno, serrano, or similar, seeded and sliced in half vertically
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Juice from 1 1/2 limes (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup coconut or almond milk (I used 'So Delicious' coconut milk)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Cooked rice (optional)

What you do:

1) Heat oil in large saucepan. Combine chopped onion, sugar, and salt. Saute for 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add cumin seeds, garlic, and ginger and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly.
2) Add water, lentils, tomato paste, halved jalapeno, coriander, curry powder, and turmeric. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until lentils are very soft, about 40 to 45 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in lime juice, coconut milk, and cayenne. Remove jalapeno, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve... Make-you-sigh gotta-have-seconds yummy, alone or over rice. Enjoy!
Source of recipe: I came up with this during flashback longings, in honor of a recent meal at my favorite Indian restaurant [Star of India, in LR, AR... if you're ever in the neighborhood, GO! But this is good, too.] :-)

Preparation Time:

15 minutes, Cooking time: 1 hour

Cooking Time:

1 hour

Servings:

Recipe Category:

Indian