Vegan coconut and spinach curry with turmeric

Vegan coconut and spinach curry with turmeric: a creamy lentil curry with coconut milk, fresh spinach, ginger, garlic and turmeric – quick, filling and aromatic.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• Cooking time: 20 min
• Total time: 30 min
• Calories: 380 kcal per serving
• Protein: 18 g
• Fat: 18 g
• Carbs: 40 g

Ingredients

• 150 g red lentils
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 300 g leaf spinach
• 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
• 400 ml coconut milk
• Sea salt and black pepper
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric

Method

You’ll need: saucepan · chopping board · knife · wooden spoon · ladle

1. Peel and finely chop the turmeric, ginger and garlic. Wash the leaf spinach thoroughly.
2. Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan and fry the ginger, turmeric and garlic gently for a moment. Add the black pepper straight away.
3. Stir in the red lentils and mix briefly with the spiced oil. Pour in the coconut milk, bring to the boil once, then cover and simmer over a low heat for 12–15 min, until the lentils are soft.
4. Cook the curry until the lentils are soft and the consistency turns creamy. Stir now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan.
5. Put the leaf spinach on top of the curry and let it wilt briefly. Then fold it in and season to taste with sea salt and black pepper.
6. Serve hot in bowls.

Good to know

For me, a curry like this is real comfort food from the pot. Creamy, gently spiced and just right for days when you want something simple and warm.

Swaps

Red lentils → yellow lentils (similar fibre and protein content). Leaf spinach → kale (more vitamin K and a sturdier texture). Coconut milk → cashew butter with water (less saturated fat, still creamy). Coconut oil → olive oil.

Allergens

The curry is naturally vegan and gluten-free, but contains coconut, which some people don't tolerate; season mildly for children, and during pregnancy the kitchen amounts of the ingredients are generally normal.

Frequently asked questions

What do red lentils contain nutritionally?

Red lentils provide plant protein, fibre and folate, iron, magnesium and potassium, among other things. Because they are hulled, they are often a little milder than many other pulses.

Is spinach particularly interesting because of its iron?

Spinach contains iron, plus folate and vitamin K. Iron from plant sources isn't always absorbed equally well, so the make-up of the whole meal is what counts.

Why does black pepper go well with turmeric?

Black pepper contains piperine. In the curry, it mainly adds a gentle heat. Freshly ground, it tastes noticeably more aromatic and works well with the turmeric and coconut.

What kind of fat does coconut milk contain?

Coconut milk mainly provides saturated fats and makes the curry creamy. It brings little protein, but it does add energy and a distinctive flavour.

Does everyone tolerate garlic and ginger well?

Not always. Both contain aromatic plant compounds that many people get on with, but in sensitive people they can irritate the stomach or bowel – especially in larger amounts.

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