LEON's Lentil & Butternut Squash Masala

LEON's Lentil & Butternut Squash Masala

Back with a bang! Mindful Chef x LEON are returning your favourite Lentil & Butternut Squash Masala to the menu. Starring vibrant, seasonal butternut squash, you’ll simmer fibre-rich lentils in a coconut tomato sauce, packed with ginger, garlic & warming spices. Add leafy kale for a hit of green. Eating the rainbow has never been easier.

1/3 daily fibre 5 of 5 a day

Serving size

Cook time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Indian
Food group: Vegan
Allergens: Mustard

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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • Preheat the oven to 240C / fan 220C / gas mark 9 / air fryer 200C
  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper
  • Bring a large saucepan filled with salted hot water to a boil
  • Pull out a large frying pan, a measuring jug, a peeler & a sieve

Get the rice on & roast the squash

  • Add the rice to the saucepan and boil for 25-30 mins, until cooked, then drain
  • Peel and halve the squash lengthways, discard the seeds, and cut into 2cm cubes
  • Place the squash on the lined baking tray, drizzle with 2 tsp oil, then toss with half the curry powder and a good pinch of salt
  • Roast the squash for 20-25 mins / air fryer 15-18 mins, until soft and golden

Build the curry

  • Meanwhile, finely slice the onion
  • Heat the large frying pan with 2 tsp oil on medium heat. Once hot, add the mustard seeds, cook for 1-2 mins, until the seeds start to pop, then add the onion
  • Cook for 6-8 mins, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, then add the tikka paste, ginger & garlic paste and remaining curry powder. Cook for 30 seconds

Simmer simmer

  • Drain and rinse the lentils
  • Add the tomato puree, creamed coconut, stock powder, lentils and 300ml hot water (150ml for 1 person) to the pan
  • Stir until the coconut has dissolved and simmer for 5-7 mins, until the sauce thickens

Last bits

  • Pick the woody stalks from the kale, then roughly chop the leaves
  • In the final 2 mins of cooking, add the chopped kale leaves to the curry and stir for 1-2 mins to wilt
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick
  • Quarter the lemon

Plate up

  • Gently stir the roasted squash into the curry
  • Season the rice with the juice of half the lemon (or to taste)
  • Serve the rice and curry in bowls. Garnish with the remaining lemon wedges

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