Pasta with spiced lentils & tomatoes

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1tablespoonCorn or peanut oil
3mediumsGarlic cloves, chopped fine
1smallOnion, chopped fine
1teaspoonGround cummin
1teaspoonGround coriander
1teaspoonPowdered ginger
½teaspoonCrushed red pepper flakes
1canSalt-free whole tomatoes (16 ounces)
1cupReduced chicken broth
½cupBrown lentils
1tablespoonSugar
½cupLow-fat yogurt
2tablespoonsBasil leaves, finely shredded
Cooked pasta

Directions

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the oil with the garlic and onion over moderate heat. When they sizzle, add the cummin, coriander, giner, and red pepper flakes and saute for 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes, breaking them up with your hands, and stir in the broth, lentils, and sugar. Simmer until the lentils are tender and the sauce is thick, about 30 minutes. Then stir in the yogurt and the basil and spoon over cooked pasta.

Note: To make reduced chicken broth..Put the canned broth of your choice in a heavy saucepan and boil briskly until it has reduced to half of its original volume (approximately 15 minutes to reduce 2 cups of broth to one cup).