Garam Masala Lentils with Carrot and Sweet Potato

Flavourful and heartwarming meals are not that hard to make. This is especially true when you have some tricks under your sleeve. With these Garam Masala Lentils with Carrots and Sweet Potato, I'm going to show you the easiest trick in my book! 

Always, always keep a bottle of Garam Masala in your pantry. This has saved me in so many occasions when I'm just not feeling inspired and all I want to do is eat. A few pinches will do wonders for your meals. 

You can't really go wrong with this spice as long as you don't add too much since it's quite potent. But don't fear to add it to absolutely everything! In the past, I've used it for curries, soups, stews, salad dressings, as a dry rub for grilling and even on desserts to add a hint of spiciness. 

Garam masala is the perfect seasoning for lentils as well. Lentils already have a lot of flavour on their own so it can be hard to find spices that enhance their flavour without being too much. Garam masala lentils are like a match made in heaven.  

Lentils are great for you and I really want to use them more often. Not only are they packed with nutrients, but lentils are also the best plant-based source of protein there is.

One cup of lentils has about 17.8 gr of protein! 

Aside from being a little bomb of protein, lentils are so good for us, here are some of its benefits:

• Great for weight loss. 
• Aids in optimal brain functioning.
• Helps prevent cell damage.
• Improves digestion.
• Helps control diabetes. 
• Boosts immune system.
• Lowers blood pressure. 
• Stabilises blood sugar. 
• Increases energy.
• Reduces the risk of heart disease. 

Among all the different kinds of legumes out there, lentils are the easiest to cook. You don't need to pre-soak lentils, you just need to add water and set them on the stove. This is definitely another good reason to keep them in your pantry. 

You can cook lentils right on the spot and I love that. Sometimes I cook a batch, use some and save the rest in the fridge. They can even be served cold as in this Brown Lentil Salad with Bell Pepper and Avocado recipe. 

For this garam masala lentils recipe, we are going to sauté the veggies and then add the lentils, coconut milk and water. The recipe might need more liquid but I wanted to stay on the conservative side. If your lentils are not thoroughly cooked or seem too dry, please feel free to add more water.

Lastly, we are using sweet potatoes. They need to be boiled separately and you can just add them after everything else is cooked. Otherwise, they'll overcook and become a big mush. 

Garam masala lentils are great for fall weather since it's such a heartwarming and nourishing meal. If you have 30 minutes throughout the day give it a try. You'll see that easy and quick meals don't have to be bland nor boring