Vegan Richa's Instant Pot Lentil Keema with Peas : World Spice Merchants

Vegan Richa's Instant Pot Lentil Keema with Peas

We love using our Instant Pot! It's useful for so many recipes, and can be used any time of the year. We especially love using it during the hot summers when you don't want to heat up your kitchen by using the stove. It's also extremely handy to have around during the fall and winter months when your time is filled with school, sports and holiday activities.You can make desserts in it, too!
Keema recipes are found throughout India. This tasty recipe uses lentils and walnuts in place of ground meat that is usually used in making keema. Including spices such as

Sage

The woodsy aroma of sage works best with hearty foods, from turkey and stuffing at holiday time to chicken, pork or bean dishes any time of year.

Cinnamon - Cassia Indonesian

Cassia-cinnamon is such a familiar and beloved spice it needs little introduction. A global favorite for its delicious aromatic flavor, we keep a fresh supply flowing through our sho...

Cardamom Seed

Cardamom presents a pungent mixture of camphor, citrus and floral notes that combine to create a heady flavor experience. The volatile flavors diminish quickly once cardamom seeds ar...

Nutmeg

We only sell nutmeg in whole form because it loses flavor so quickly, and the difference between the freshly ground spice and the pre-ground variety is like night and day. The freshl...

, and

Cayenne - Indian

A wonderfully fresh version of this easily recognizable ground chile that can be used in everything from curries to cocoa. Its clean heat intensifies and clarifies flavors much like ...

, along with garam masala and

Baharat

This enticing blend of warm and sweet aromatic spices, with a base of cumin, coriander and black pepper, is just the ticket to perk up your spice pantry. Baharat simply means "spice"...

, give this easy-to-make dish complex flavors. Keema is very versatile, and can be used in tacos, sandwiches, burritos, or just served with rice.

Whether you're new to using an Instant Pot™ or have been using one for years, Vegan Richa's Instant Pot Cookbook will help you both save time, as well make delicious meals with hearty flavors no matter what day of the week. Have allergies or are on a special diet? Using a wide range of global cuisines, her recipes also have many adaptations and swaps for those.

Richa Hingle is a longtime World Spice Merchants customer, as well as a prolific and award winning recipe developer, blogger, and photographer based here in Seattle. The recipes she has on VeganRicha.com are easy to follow, with step-by-step photos so that even the novice vegan cook can make delicious food. She loves to show people how easy it is to cook vegan Indian or other cuisines, which are allergy friendly and have gluten-free and soy-free options. Her latest cookbook isVegan Richa's Instant Pot™ Cookbook which has many adaptations, swaps for allergies and special diets, full nutritional information, and will become your go-to guide for healthful, flavor-forward meals that are a breeze to get to the table.

Ingredients

For the Keema:

1/2 medium-size red onion, roughly chopped (about 3/4 cup [120 g])
5 garlic cloves (about 2-1/2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon safflower or sunflower oil
1/2 teaspoon plus a good pinch of salt, plus more if needed
3/4 cup (90 g) walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup (65 g) roughly chopped carrot
1/4 cup (35 g) fresh or frozen green peas
3/4 cup (180 g) dried brown lentils
3/4 to 1 teaspoon dried

Sage

Sage

The woodsy aroma of sage works best with hearty foods, from turkey and stuffing at holiday time to chicken, pork or bean dishes any time of year.
3/4 teaspoon

Garam Masala - Indian

Garam Masala - Indian

Garam masala is traditionally used as an addition to curries and as an all-purpose seasoning in Indian cuisine. Intensely aromatic with cinnamon and cardamom and boasting heat only f...
Generous pinch of ground

Cinnamon - Cassia Indonesian

Cinnamon - Cassia Indonesian

Cassia-cinnamon is such a familiar and beloved spice it needs little introduction. A global favorite for its delicious aromatic flavor, we keep a fresh supply flowing through our sho...
Generous pinch of ground

Cardamom Seed

Cardamom Seed

Cardamom presents a pungent mixture of camphor, citrus and floral notes that combine to create a heady flavor experience. The volatile flavors diminish quickly once cardamom seeds ar...
Generous pinch of freshly grated

Nutmeg

Nutmeg

We only sell nutmeg in whole form because it loses flavor so quickly, and the difference between the freshly ground spice and the pre-ground variety is like night and day. The freshl...
Generous pinch of freshly ground

Peppercorn - Black - Tellicherry

Peppercorn - Black - Tellicherry

Black pepper. It inspired the Age of Discovery, once trading for a price above gold. Not bad for a seasoning! Five centuries later, it remains a favorite.Tellicherry is a renowned gr...
1/4 teaspoon

Cayenne - Indian

Cayenne - Indian

A wonderfully fresh version of this easily recognizable ground chile that can be used in everything from curries to cocoa. Its clean heat intensifies and clarifies flavors much like ...
1 teaspoon soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free; coconut aminos for soy-free)
1 to 2 teaspoons ketchup
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1-1/4 cups (295 ml) water

For the Garnishes:

Freshly squeezed lime juice
Thinly sliced red onion
Chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Combine the onion and garlic in a food processor and process until finely chopped.

Preheat the Instant Pot by selecting the Sauté setting. Heat the oil in the preheated pot for a few seconds, then add the chopped onion and garlic and a good pinch of salt. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in the same food processor, combine the walnuts and carrot and chop into a coarse meal.

Add them to the Instant Pot and cook for 2 minutes. Add the peas, lentils, sage, garam masala, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne, soy sauce, ketchup, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix well. Add the cilantro and water and give it a good stir.

Lock the lid into place, set the Pressure Release Knob to Sealing, select the Pressure Cook/Manual setting at high pressure, and set the cook time to 11 minutes.

Once the cooking cycle is done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then carefully set the Pressure Release Knob from Sealing to Venting to release any remaining pressure. Open the lid.

If there is a lot of liquid left, select the Sauté setting and cook for 2 to 4 minutes to thicken. Taste for seasoning, adjusting if needed. Garnish with lime juice, onion, and cilantro.

Notes:

- This recipe is easily doubled; increase the pressure-cooking time by 2 minutes.

- nut-free - In place of the walnuts, use 1/2 cup (70 g) of mixed finely chopped pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds.
- This recipe calls for garam masala. You can either use our

Garam Masala - Indian

Garam masala is traditionally used as an addition to curries and as an all-purpose seasoning in Indian cuisine. Intensely aromatic with cinnamon and cardamom and boasting heat only f...

, or make Vegan Richa's Garam Masala at home.There are many versions of garam masala, and they vary region by region, according to family recipes or personal taste. is fragrant and flavorful, and will be a flavorful addition to your spice cabinet.