One pot red lentil and sweet potato coconut curry

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

How to make red lentil and sweet potato coconut curry

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Red lentil and sweet potato coconut curry

A great source of vegetarian protein, this lentil, sweet potato and coconut curry is mild, tasty and quick to prepare making it a great midweek dinner. Suitable for vegans.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword sweet potato coconut curry

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Servings 4

Author Mandy Mazliah

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
• 1 x 400ml tin of coconut milk
• 250 g red lentils
• 500 ml water
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• handful coriander finely chopped

Instructions

1. 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. 

2. Stir in the onion, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook, stirring often for 10 minutes or until soft.
   

3. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, ground coriander and chilli (if using), stir well and cook for a further minute.

4. Stir in the sweet potatoes and mix well, ensuring that the spicy onion mix covers them well. 

5. 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. 

6. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add a dash more water if it's starting to look dry.

7. Serve with the finely chopped coriander leaves and rice or chapatis. 

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This recipe and photographs were updated in June 2018.

I have added this post to Cook Blog Share hosted this week by Monika at Everyday Healthy Recipes.