Coconut Curry Lentils with Salmon

Name: Coconut Curry Lentils with Salmon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound salmon; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon curry powder; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon olive oil; salt and pepper (to taste); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon red curry paste; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 4 cups coconut milk (2 cans); 1 tablespoon fresh ginger or ginger paste; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon lime zest; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 cup lentils; cilantro or basil to garnish (optional)

Published on February 1, 2022 by Sarah Troester

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Who would have thought that lentils could be the star of the show? I’ve been dreaming up this comforting and super rich creamy coconut sauce, that pairs so well with earthy lentils and warm curry spices. The baked honey glazed salmon drives this recipe home with an extra boost of sweetness and spice. This recipe is ready to go in 30 minutes!

If you asked me to pick just one sauce to eat for this rest of my life, it would be this one. And let me tell you, I am all about the sauces. I simply can’t resist a good coconut milk sauce. There is something so comforting about it and then adding in red curry paste, extra garlic, a dash of soy sauce, lime juice, and a little honey; an immediate orchestra of flavors begins playing away on your taste buds.

We are going to further the melody of flavors and add lentils to this sauce to complete this beauty of a dish!

This is why we love lentils

They are…

Savory
Hearty & Satisfying
Nutritious
Great for sauces and soaking up flavors
Perfectly spiced, naturally
Aromatic
Coconutty
Marvelously textured
Seriously delicious

And while delicious on their own because they soak up all the goodness in whatever they are paired with, I decided to add salmon to this recipe for an extra boost of protein and flavor.

We will baking the salmon while the coconut curry sauce and lentils works their magic.

While I highly recommend pairing salmon with the coconut curry lentils, you could opt for another protein such as chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu. Even roasted cauliflower, butternut squash or sweet potatoes would work well. OR, you could just choose to make the coconut curry lentils alone; they are simply satisfying.

So let’s get started!

Ingredients for Coconut Curry Lentils with Salmon

To make this easy one pan coconut curry with lentils, you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online.

Here’s what we are working with:

For the Salmon

For the Lentils

How to Make Coconut Curry Lentils with Salmon

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
In a medium sized bowl mix together the honey, spices and olive oil to form a paste.
Place the salmon skin side down on the baking sheet and brush the paste liberally over the salmon. Bake in oven 8-10 minutes; until desired doneness.
While the salmon is baking, begin making the lentils; in a skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the red curry paste and minced garlic to bloom; 30 seconds.
Add in the 2 cans of coconut milk (about 4 cups), giving a good stir.
Add in the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer.
Stir in the lentils and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally. **Depending on the lentils you are using and your own preference, the time for cooking them could vary and take more or less time. **
Serve immediately; Place salmon over lentils. Garnish with fresh cilantro or basil.

ENJOY!!! We sure hope you enjoy this recipe as much as our little tribe has!