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New Year Lentils with Naan & Basmati Rice

All around the world, people welcome the New Year with simple, wholesome foods eaten with intention. These meals are centered on nourishment, but they’re also filled with hope and symbolism—meant to help set the tone for the year ahead.

Lentils have long been a New Year tradition because they resemble tiny coins. As they cook, they expand, symbolizing growing wealth, abundance, and opportunity. Greens—spinach, kale, collards—are green like paper money and represent prosperity, renewal, and health.

So many of us step into the New Year hoping for health, wealth, and happiness, this meal brings all three together in a grounding, comforting way. Warm, nourishing, and meant to be shared with the people you love, it’s the perfect way to begin a new chapter—slowly, intentionally, and well-fed.

Cozy New Year Lentils with Greens

Served with Basmati Rice & Warm Naan

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6–8

Ingredients

For the Lentils

  • 2 cups dried lentils (brown or green), rinsed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp ground)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 6 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 4 cups fresh greens (spinach, kale, chard, or collards), chopped
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Juice of ½ lemon

For Serving

  • Cooked basmati rice
  • Warm naan
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)

Instructions

Finish:
Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust as needed.

Sauté the base:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute.

Build the flavor:
Add cumin, garam masala, turmeric, and paprika. Stir until fragrant.

Simmer lentils:
Add lentils and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until lentils are tender.

Add greens:
Stir in chopped greens and cook until wilted and tender (2–3 minutes for spinach, 5–8 minutes for kale or collards).

Simple serving ideas:

  • Finish lentils with coconut milk or a swirl of yogurt for richness
  • Add cumin, garlic, ginger, and garam masala for warmth
  • Top with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lemon
  • Serve naan warm with a little olive oil or ghee

Serve With Intention

Spoon lentils over basmati rice and serve with warm naan.
A grounding, nourishing meal to welcome abundance, health, and fresh beginnings.

I hope you enjoy this nourishing meal pack with intention.

From my family to yours, we wish you A cozy life filled with intention.

Cheers to 2026!