Easy Lentil Curry (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 medium onion, finely diced.
02 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper for flavoring.
03 - Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped for a fresh touch.
04 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a spicy kick).
05 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced.
06 - 1 medium ginger, about 2 tablespoons, finely grated.
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt.
08 - 1 teaspoon curry powder.
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes.
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking.
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
12 - Optional: red or yellow lentils for a creamier texture.
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric.
14 - Fresh lemon juice to brighten up the dish before serving.
15 - 1 cup coconut milk for creaminess.
16 - 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained.
17 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water for cooking.

# Instructions:

01 - Add in the cumin, turmeric, curry powder, black pepper, cayenne, and salt. Stir everything together and let them cook briefly – just until they smell amazing.
02 - Turn on the "Saute" mode on your Instant Pot. Add the oil and heat it until it starts to shimmer. Toss in the onion and cook till it's soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ginger and garlic, and cook another 60 seconds while stirring so it doesn’t stick.
03 - Pour in the broth or water, followed by your rinsed lentils and diced tomatoes. Mix everything up so it’s well blended.
04 - Seal the Instant Pot lid, make sure the valve is on "Sealing," and press "Pressure Cook" or "Manual." Set it for 15 minutes on high pressure. Once it’s done, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before carefully releasing any leftover steam.
05 - Take off the lid and gently stir in the coconut milk. Combine it well with the cooked lentils.
06 - Give it a taste and tweak the seasoning if needed. Serve warm, topped with fresh cilantro and a quick squeeze of lemon juice for a final boost of flavor.

# Notes:

01 - Lentils Tip: Use brown or green lentils for this dish if you want them to hold their shape. Red or yellow ones will give you a softer consistency.
02 - No Instant Pot? No Problem! Simply cook it all on the stovetop and adjust the time based on your lentil variety.
03 - Little Effort: Aside from sautéing in the beginning, you can basically let this meal cook itself!

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