Easy Beef and Lentil Curry

At the end of a tiring day at work it is good to home and cook something nice and easy. This is a really simple, yet tasty curry that always goes down a treat.

Beef and Lentil Curry

Serves 4

2 tsp olive oil

500g beef (any cut will do), cubed

1/3 cup curry paste

1 onion, coarsely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp ginger, finely chopped

1 cup red lentils

1 1/2 cups beef stock

400ml coconut milk

1/4 cup coriander, chopped

Heat half the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the beef and half the curry paste, and cook until the beef is browned. Transfer the beef to a plate.

Heat the remaining oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and remaining curry paste, and cook until the onion softens. Add the lentils, stock and coconut milk. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. Return the beef to the pan and simmer for a further 8 minutes. Stir in the chopped coriander.

Serve with jasmine rice and pappadums.

Mmmmm Soup!

With the cost of food on the up and up I have been finding that incorporating a few vegetarian meals in the week really helps to reduce our grocery bills. This recipe is super cheap and really yummy with a few slices of toasted home made bread. I found that this tasted even better the second day for lunch (hence the take away containers).

Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil

1 brown onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

2 x 400g cans brown lentils, rinsed and drained

400g can diced tomatoes

500ml vegetable stock

500ml water

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Salt & pepper

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrot and cook until the vegetables soften and turn gold.

Add the lentils, tomato, stock, water and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, partially uncovered, for 10 minutes or until tender. Add the parsley, and season with salt and pepper.

Serve up with some toasted home made bread and enjoy.