Spiced Lentils with Fried Egg

40 minutes

Easy

This is one of the highest-value meals in the book: cheap, filling and high in protein. The key skill is properly cooking onions until golden, not just soft, which builds sweetness and depth of flavour.

Nut-free

Vegetarian

Egg free

Ingredients

150 g red lentils
500 ml water
1 onion
1 carrot
1 tbsp sunflower oil
4 eggs
Salt
Spring onion (optional)

Method

Step 1

Add 150 g red lentils to a saucepan with 500 ml water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes until soft. Add more water if needed.

Step 2

Finely chop 1 onion and 1 carrot.

Step 3

Heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

Step 4

Cook the onion and carrot for 10–12 minutes until softened and lightly golden.

Step 5

Add the cooked lentils to the pan and stir well. Season with salt.

Step 6

In a separate pan, fry 4 eggs to your preference.

Step 7

Serve the lentils topped with a fried egg and sliced spring onion if using.

Tips

Lentil base can be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Eggs should be cooked fresh.