Curried Lentils in Tomato Sauce

2 cans (20 oz. each) cooked lentils, rinsed and drained (I have never seen canned lentils so I just cook one cup dried lentils)
3 TBS vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 piece fresh ginger (2 inches long) peeled and finely grated
coarse salt
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon garam masala (optional)
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 jar (26oz) good quality store-bought tomato sauce
2 TBSP fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro plus more for garnish (optional)
cooked basmati rice

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add onion and ginger; season with salt. Cook until beginning to brown, 5 – 8 minutes.
2. Add spices; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.
3. Add tomato sauce, lentils, and 1 cup water. Simmer until slightly thickened, 5 – 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice and cilantro; season with salt.
4. Serve lentil mixture over rice; garnish with more cilantro, if desired.

I got this recipe from a girlfriend in our Mommy & Me group after she brought the dish to one of our potlucks last year, but I only made it for the first time today. OHmyGRACIOUS, it is beyond delicious! Nice and spicy – just enough to make your nose run a little bit -but warm and homey, too. Jonas ate a single bite and pronounced himself done. Radley (the little boy we babysit M-W-F) at almost his whole dish. And I’ve gone back for seconds and now I’m considering thirds… so I’d say it’s a success!