A great source of vegetarian protein, this one pot red lentil and sweet potato coconut curry is mild, tasty and quick to prepare making it a great midweek dinner. This is a great red lentil recipe to make for babies and children and it’s also suitable for vegans.
My kids loved lentil curries when they were babies
Both kids used to absolutely love curry but I’ve somehow got out of the habit of making it for them. Which is a real shame because curries are an absolutely fantastic way to get lots of vegetables onto their plates, and hopefully into their tummies!
When Miss R was a baby she absolutely loved dahl on toast. And R’s favourite dish for a while was the Annabel Karmel cheesy lentils recipe. Yet now, lentils are not very popular.
This dish however, proved to be an exception. Hurrah!
They turned their noses up at it at first glance but hunger and the mild coconut flavour won them over.
And with the addition of a bit of chilli us grown ups really enjoyed it too. It’s not often that we find a dish that everyone in this household likes!
Is this lentil and sweet potato curry suitable for weaning?
Absolutely. This is a brilliant recipe to make for babies. It’s full of healthy vegetables and protein and it’s mildly spiced.
Don’t be scared to give your baby spices. Chilli is best avoided but embrace other spices and add them to your baby’s food as much as you like. Weaning is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your baby to as many different flavours as possible.
This red lentil recipe can be puréed or spoon fed as it is to older babies. If you’re following baby led weaning then you can let your baby feed themselves with a spoon or their hands. Alternatively you could spread it on to toast or serve with toast or pitta bread fingers for dipping.
Other vegetarian curry recipes you might like
- Cauliflower, potato and chickpea curry
- Simple curry sauce with hidden spinach
- Easy potato curry with cumin
- One pot potato and chickpea curry
- Aloo jeera – potato and cumin curry
Pin one pot red lentil and sweet potato coconut curry for later
How to make red lentil and sweet potato coconut curry
Red lentil and sweet potato coconut curry
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 clove of garlic finely chopped
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp chilli powder optional or to taste
- 700 g sweet potatoes peeled and diced
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 250 g red lentils
- 500 ml water
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- handful coriander finely chopped
Instructions
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Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and fry for a minute or two until starting to brown.
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Stir in the onion, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook, stirring often for 10 minutes or until soft.
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Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, ground coriander and chilli (if using), stir well and cook for a further minute.
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Stir in the sweet potatoes and mix well, ensuring that the spicy onion mix covers them well.
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Add the rest of the ingredients, bring to the boil then reduce to a low heat, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the lentils and sweet potatoes are cooked through.
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Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add a dash more water if it's starting to look dry.
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Serve with the finely chopped coriander leaves and rice or chapatis.
This recipe and photographs were updated in June 2018.
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Kate
Can this be frozen? I batch bake for my 15 month grandaughter.
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Kate – yes this can definitely be frozen. The sweet potatoes will break down a bit once it’s been defrosted but that might suit a 15 month old better anyway. Hope she enjoys it!
sara
it is absolutely delicious, thanks for this recipe. My only remark would be to change the description of ‘1 400ml tin of coconut milk’ in the ingredients list to ‘400 ml’. I read it as 1400 ml because all the other ingredients simply list the amount. It did taste good that way too… 🤦🏻♀
Mandy Mazliah
Hi Sara – wow that is a lot of coconut milk! Thanks for the tip, will edit x
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Am tempted to start attacking the computer screen this looks so good!!! Eb x
Mandy Mazliah
Ha ha! Don’t do that, I can’t guarantee it’ll taste any good.
Balvinder
Hi Mandy,
I would eat the whole bowl happily. Lentils are my life. We also make it in dry form to eat in wraps.
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Balvinder. My little one likes to eat his in a wrap as well.
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
Such a lovely recipe Mandy! I love creamy and coconuty curries and any lentil dish is always a winner in our house. One to pin and try! x
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks so much Jo! Hope you enjoy it if you do try it x
Angela
I would probably omit the sweetcorn from this for personal taste, but I love the idea of mixing the sweet potato with lentils.
Mandy Mazliah
My three year old is going through a long phase of rejecting every vegetable apart from sweetcorn, which is why it’s in this recipe! It actually works quite well though. It’s also lovely without though. Thanks for the comment.