It’s all about the sauce

This was another dinner request from Lindsay…what’s funny is that we couldn’t remember what the recipe was, where I had found it, or when we had eaten it, but we both remembered the sauce. Garlicky and super-flavorful, this sauce is great spooned over anything…not just these burritos. We spooned it over the burritos and some steamed broccoli the first night, used it as a salad dressing the second night, and spread it on falafel sandwiches the third night.

I finally located the recipe in an old issue of Cuisine at Home. I changed it quite a bit, and the recipe that follows is my version.

Curried Lentil Burritos

  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 2 teaspoons minced jalapeno
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1 cup cubed red potatoes
  • 1/2 cup brown lentils
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 to 6 whole wheat tortillas
  • Cilantro Scallion-Spiced Yogurt (recipe follows)

Saute onion, curry powder, and jalapeno in oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until onion begins to brown, 5 to 8 minutes, stirring often. Stir in broth, tomatoes, potatoes, lentils, and bay leaves. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until lentils are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Add spinach and stir until wilted; add lime juice and salt.

Heat the tortillas in a nonstick pan, in the oven, or over the flame until soft and pliable. Fill with lentil mixture and spiced yogurt.

Cilantro Scallion-Spiced Yogurt

  • 1 cup cilantro leaves and stems
  • 1/4 cup scallions, sliced (white and green parts)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • Salt and cayenne to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) plain yogurt

Process all ingredients except yogurt in a food processor until minced. Stir herb paste into yogurt; chill until ready to serve.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

5 responses to “It’s all about the sauce”

  1. I have only tried lentils a couple times (in soups) but this looks like a great way to try them. The spiced yogurt sounds great!

  2. The spiced yogurt sounds very good, so we are going to try it for sure. love mom

  3. The spiced yogurt really is the reason for sharing this recipe. Not that the lentils aren’t yummy, but man, that sauce….mmmmmm…

  4. Hi Crystal … made a slightly modified version last night so it’s posted on the Veggie Venture … just delicious … the sauce is really special given how simple it is … AK

  5. Crystal,
    This was truly a wonderful dish. I made for my husband (a devout meat-eater!) and he loved it. Thanks for such a great recipe – keep ’em coming!

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