![\"FRESH](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/FRESH-TURMERIC-RED-LENTILS-700w-x.jpg\")
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Fresh Turmeric Red Lentils<\/h3>\n
Makes about 8 servings<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to use fresh turmeric root in this recipe. It has a wonderful aroma, with hints of citrus that are lost in the powdered form. You may want to have ready some disposable gloves and an apron, because it can stain very easily. The taste of this dish improves with standing time and into the next day.<\/em><\/p>\n Preheat the oven to 400\u00b0F.<\/p>\n Peel the sweet potatoes, halve them lengthwise, and cut crosswise at\n1-inch intervals. You should now have rough half-moon discs. Put them into a large bowl.<\/p>\n Melt the coconut oil if it\u2019s solid, then smother it over the sweet potatoes.<\/p>\n Add the salt and dried spices and rub well with your hands so they are evenly distributed. Put them on a baking sheet, place in the oven in the top third, and set a timer for 15 minutes, turning the sweet potatoes after about 7 minutes.<\/p>\n In the meantime prepare the lentils. Peel the fresh turmeric with a teaspoon. We find that much like ginger it\u2019s easier to get into the crevices and minimize wastage this way. Pound with a pestle and mortar until it becomes a fine, juicy paste.<\/p>\n Add the stock, tomatoes, and fresh turmeric to a deep pot. Place over medium heat. Rinse the lentils in a fine-mesh sieve and add to the pan. Gently bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat, covered, for 8 minutes. Do not leave for longer than this without checking, because lentils can overcook quickly.<\/p>\n Check the sweet potatoes. You want them so that you can put a fork through each piece with ease. They should taste spicy, salty, and sweet from the caramelization.\nCheck your lentils. They are ready when they are translucent, without sunburnt orange spots of the original color at the core. The stock will reduce significantly as the lentils absorb water. Remove from the heat.<\/p>\n When the sweet potatoes are done, add them to the lentils and fold them into the mix.<\/p>\n Serve warm, and reheat over very low temperature so the lentils don\u2019t overcook.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n