Curried Lentils

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 medium onion
• 3 medium carrots
• 1 cup uncooked brown lentils
• 2 Tbsp curry powder hot or mild
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, optional

Directions

1. Scatter the lentils across a baking sheet so you can look them over, then remove any little stones or bits of debris. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a sauce pot and stir in the lentils. Once the water returns to a boil, lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the lentils gently simmer for 20 minutes, or until tender. Pour the cooked lentils into a colander to drain.
2. While the lentils are cooking, mince the garlic, then finely dice the onion and carrots. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the onion, garlic, and carrots, and cook until the onion looks translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the curry powder and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Transfer the drained lentils to the skillet and add the tomato sauce. Stir everything together and cook until hot all the way through, about 5 minutes. Take the skillet off the heat, taste, and season with salt if it needs it, about 1/2 tsp.
4. Finish with fresh cilantro and serve over a bed of rice, with naan, or with crusty bread.