Vegetarian Vindaloo

(100)
  • Minutes to Prepare:
  • Minutes to Cook:
  • Number of Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil4 shallots (about 3/4 cup), chopped1 tablespoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon ground cloves1/4 teaspoon turmeric1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon2 teaspoons yellow curry powder1 cup water1 28-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes*2 bell peppers, diced2 teaspoons ginger, grated1 serrano chili pepper, diced (don't remove seeds if you want some additional heat)2 sweet potatoes, cubed1 head cauliflower, cut into florets 1/4 cup white vinegar2 cups water1 1/2 cup dried lentils, rinsed*Note: Fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky flavor to the dish, but they do contain a significant amount of sodium. If you are watching your sodium, you may swap no salt-added canned tomatoes instead.
Directions
Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the oil. Add the shallots to the hot oil and saute for three minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the spices to the pan, stir, cook for one minute. Add 1 cup water to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, peppers, ginger, serrano, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes to the pan, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the vinegar and water, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the lentils and cook another 15 minutes, until the lentils are tender.

Serve warm over brown rice or quinoa (nutrition info not included).

Serving Size: 2 1/2 cups per serving

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Nutritional Info Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 330.6
  • Total Fat: 4.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 529.5 mg
  • Total Carbs: 61.1 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 16.0 g
  • Protein: 14.6 g

Member Reviews
  • CBART369
    I tried this last night. The only substitute I made was butternut squash for the sweet potato, as that was what I had in the kitchen.
    Typical vindaloo is fiery. This version is not very spicy to my taste, but quite family-friendly. The texture and flavor is excellent.
    Will definitely make again - 3/9/12
  • SEPPIESUSAN
    Spicy, flavorful, and refreshlingly different (for me). Chef Meg, I always make and try your recipes before I rate them, and I almost always love them. However I rated your Spanish Chicken as OK because that was my honest opinion and added comments and questions, and my rating was deleted! :( - 2/25/12

    Reply from CHEF_MEG (1/24/13)
    Just read your comment. sorry about the deleted comment on the chicken- maybe it was a mistake. I love reading the comments from all the members. Chef Meg

  • XUXU22
    I loved this dish! 2 1/2 cups is a way too big of a serving, especially if you make rice or something to go with it, so prepare for lots of leftovers. As others have stated, it did take a little longer to cook than stated, about 15 extra minutes for me. - 5/4/12
  • BEELINEBUZZ
    Not bad, but I added more spices. Like another poster, I, too, have rated recipes with 2 or 3 stars, only to see that comments under 4 or 5 are deleted. Very disappointing that honest opinions are censored in such a way. - 9/16/12
  • CD12528734
    We love Indian food in our house, and this was fabulous. The lentils did take much longer to cook than 15 minutes and I added some cauliflower. I also put on fresh lemon juice & chopped cilantro to freshen it up once plated. - 6/11/12
  • AZCHICA2006
    I have tried other "Indian" recipes from Chef Meg and have not been impressed. I find them lacking in Indian flavor and take MUCH longer to cook than stated. Also, nearing 300 calories for a serving of this (plus rice, quinoa or naan) is a little too high. - 4/28/12
  • LOGOULD
    This was INCREDIBLE! I didn't have white vinegar, so I used apple cider vinegar instead and I used one large can of fire roasted yellow peppers since I didn't have fresh. To amp up the protein, I served 1/2 serv of Vindaloo over 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Cooking time was longer than stated. YUM! - 4/9/12
  • WHOLENEWME79
    I added more garlic, and also added crushed red pepper and an extra cup of sodium free vegetable stock because it took longer to cook the lentils than directed. I used french lentils rather than traditional red because I like their texture better. - 4/13/13
  • LOTSACATS
    It looks like you forgot to add cauliflower in the ingredient list. - 10/26/12

    Reply from CHEF_MEG (5/17/13)
    Hmmm..it's there. Hope it give it a try. Chef Meg

  • CHERRY666
    I liked this a lot. Very hearty dish. The mixture of spices made my mouth water. It did take longer for me to cook like some other posters also said, but no big deal. Next time, I'm going to bump up the heat since it wasn't spicy enough for me. - 4/20/12
  • FITLIFE16
    This is very flavorful. I have always been afraid to make Indian food at home but I love it out. This tastes as good a going out to an Indian restaurant. - 4/18/12
  • CD1569000
    Would like to try this but want to know what colour of lentils to use first. - 6/23/12
  • KDZ7175
    So very good! My meat-loving husband even loved it! - 5/30/12
  • VANANDEL
    My husband and I give this a 5! I had to simmer it a little longer to get the sweet potatoes to soften more, but it was delicious. We both were content with a much smaller serving. - 5/10/12
  • LOONEYGRANDMA
    I liked it but my husband wasn't too crazy about it. The lentils and sweet potatoes took longer to cook than I had hoped. - 3/29/12
  • DONNASEEFEE
    Why can you not give us the choice of a difficult ingredient such as the serrano pepper and then tell us a substitute which ww could find in our local grocer - 3/11/12
  • CD12696569
    Turmeric and ginger are great for inflammation and recommended by so many health professionals. Sorry I commented before making this...I will come back after I make it tonight. Love the other comments. I eat very little meat. - 10/27/12
  • MINITURTLE85
    Had to cook waaaaay longer than noted and was a little lacking in flavor. Not what I expected. - 6/29/12
  • KRYSTYNA8
    I tried this recipe the other day and brought it to work for lunch. Two co-worker's tried it and asked for the recipe. Vindaloo is easy to make and it's very tasty.
    - 3/16/12
  • DONNELDA22
    If Chef Meg say Vindaloo's are her favourite dishes then I must try this dish. I have almost everything on hand, except the serrano chili and the tomatoes. Will report back and rate later. - 2/18/12
  • CD13325286
    Delicious however the list of ingredients does not include cauliflower and the cooking instructions includes cauliflower. It also took a lot longer for the lentils to cook so I had to add extra water. - 11/23/12
  • IFDEEVARUNS2
    Is this the right picture? - 6/6/12

    Reply from CHEF_MEG (5/17/13)
    Yes- give it a try- it's geat.
    Chef Meg

  • SC4TTERBR4INS
    Really good flavor but not very spicy. I'll know for next time. I also had trouble getting the lentils cooked through. I wonder if they should have been red lentils (I used green). I agree with previous commenters the serving size is too large, I ended up dividing into 6. - 5/21/12
  • LEANJEAN6
    cumin is so good for one--Make it for this--I did and enjoy it! - 4/9/12
  • CD13658958
    absolutely yummy i used lentils from a can so yum thankyou for these amazing recipes. - 2/14/13