Instant Pot Red Lentil Curry

I've never cooked curry before, and furthermore never cooked with lentils before, so why not test my skills at both at once while continuing to get used to my Instant Pot??

I shopped around a few recipes and decided what bits and pieces I wanted to put to use.

Then while cooking it, adapted even more and I basically ended up winging the whole thing.

The result  was rich and filling and delicious! It's not often at all we eat a meat free meal, but we were all very pleased. (If you want to make this vegan, leave off the sour cream!)

Instant Pot Red Lentil Curry
serves 4

1 can coconut milk
1 14.5oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes
2 cups dry red lentils
3 tablespoons tomato paste
½ diced onion
4 cloves of garlic
1 chunk (about 1.5 inches) fresh ginger peeled and minced
5 cups vegetable broth
2 ½ tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 bag baby spinach

(as you can see in the picture, I intended to use spinach, but forgot to add, and also made decision to add potatoes after I took the picture. Use both!)

On SAUTE setting on the Instant Pot, saute onions, garlic and ginger for 3 minutes.

Add all remaining ingredients except for the potatoes. (Theoretically, maybe you can add them, but I boiled separately as it was a last minute decision and added at the end - they should cook fine along with everything else.)

Place lid on the Instant Pot and make sure spout is on SEALING.

Cook on MANUAL high for 15 minutes. If you didn't include the potatoes, boil potatoes on the stove while the lentils are cooking.

Let natural release for ten minutes before turning nozzle to venting and opening when pin drops.

Add cooked potatoes (and 2 cups of fresh chopped spinach if you'd like) and mix so that all is hot and the spinach is wilted.

To serve, I topped my bowl with a dollop of sour cream and red pepper flakes and we ate this with a crusty roll for sopping up all the goodness - a flatbread such as naan would also be wonderful with this.

My verdict? I am now a convert to curry and to lentils!  Delicious, easy, nutritious meal that is frugal, too? Score!