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Vegan Keema Naan with Keema Lentils, onion, carrots and walnuts. This lentil mix with the herbs and spices make a vegan version of keema. Serve over Naan bread or Pizza or fill tacos or wraps. Vegan Recipe, Can be gluten-free and soy free. Jump to Recipe
Keema means mince, usually used to refer to meat. Keema as an Indian dish is well spiced, sometimes cooked with a bit of onion tomato or onion sauce, is served as a main with a side of veggies/some curry and some flatbread or rice, or served as a snack. To make a vegan version I use lentils, carrots and walnuts to add the earthy flavor, texture, and spices and sage for flavor. If you add bit of broth and tomatoes to it, the mix would be like thick chili with amazing flavor from the spices/herbse
It doesnt really matter whether this has to stand in for a non vegan keema, because the mix of the ingredients and flavors is so amazingly tasty. Call it whatever you like – Some Fabulous Lentil walnut Mix!. Use the filling as you like, in tacos, wraps, bowls, or just serve with Naan/flatbread and some curry, or as in this post, baked over Naan or Pizza with some vegan mozz. So Good!
These Keema Lentils are Delicious,
full of flavor, protein (22 Gms!( some of it is from the flour, so the base used will change the number),
come together quickly,
and flexible to additions and use.
The combination of baharat and garam masala adds amazing flavor. If you can find baharat, so use it, else make your own from my Book! it takes 5 mins.. If you make these, do let me know how you served them!
More Indian Vegan Mains to try –
- Palak Tofu GF 20 Mins
- Vegan Butter Chikin. GF Instant Pot
- Mushroom Matar Masala GF 1 Pot
- Bombay Potato and Peas GF 1 pot
- Butter Tofu Masala GF Restaurant Style
- Veggie Korma GF no onion garlic version
Vegan Keema Naan with Keema Lentils, Carrots, Walnuts
Ingredients
Keema:
- 1 tsp oil
- 1/2 medium onion , , chopped see step 1
- 5 cloves of garlic , chopped
- 3/4 cup walnuts , chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup peas
- 3/4 to 1 tsp sage
- 3/4 tsp garam masala , , (or 1/2 tsp garam masala and 1/4 tsp baharat (from Everyday Kitchen Book) for even more flavor)
- a generous dash each of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- 1.5 cups cooked lentils, , I use brown lentils
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste divided
- 1 tsp soy sauce, use coconut aminos to make without soy
- 1 to 2 tsp ketchup
- 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
- water
For the Pizza:
- 3 Premade Naan or shaped Naan dough
- Or 2 shaped pizza dough
- vegan mozzarella, I used Miyoko's in the pictures (optional, use just sliced veggies)
- cilantro, onion and pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Process the onion and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic , a good pinch of salt, and cook for 4 minutes or until golden.
- Process walnuts and carrots in the same food processor until a coarse meal. Add to the skillet and cook for 3 mins
- Add peas, cooked lentils, spices, sauces, and mix well and cook for 2 minutes. Add cilantro and a good splash of water and mix in. Cook for another minute if using over pizza (keep the mix wet-ish), and another 2-3 minutes to dry out to used as taco filling. Taste and adjust salt, flavor.
- Spread the lentil mixture over shaped Naan dough or pizza dough or premade naan. Add some thinly sliced veggies like tomato, onion, peppers or jalapeno. If you bake them on a dough (i.e longer time), then do top the the mix with additional veggies as the lentils can tend to dry out.
- Add dollops of vegan mozzarella or other cheese and bake to melt the cheese. 8 to 15 minutes depending on if are using premade naan or unbaked dough.
- Garnish with chopped tomato, onion cilantro and serve. If mozz was omitted, use chutneys or creamy dressing of choice and serve. The lentil keema mix can be made ahead and used in various ways.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this (without naan since we are cutting carbs), came out soooo good! My husband devoured it all with very little left for me!!
yay! Always save some for yourself 🙂
I was looking for recipe something new to make on this weekend and guess what i found one. Keema naan would be great addition and i am sure it would definitely delight my friends and family.
Not clear on peas. In my world that means black-eyed. So these are English and they come frozen? Thanks.
green peas. yes frozen or fresh both will work
Very interesting recipe! I’ve never seen it before, but it looks wonderful! Naan is always a favorite of mine, so I can’t imagine this not being tasty!
What dressing will be better on this naan? The vegan tahini garlic sauce with parsley from your book? Or the tahini dill dressing?
Either will work.
Made this a couple of days ago and love it. Gave me a chance to use my spices. I used whole wheat tortilla and rolled it up like a burrito. Very filling. Next day added some soup with it. Seems like hummus spread would go well with it too. Think I’ll make a cucumber, tomato and onion salad and top that with it.
Thank you!
AWesome! yes it works great as a topping and with a creamy hummus or other dressing in the wraps.
Thanks for sharing. I see the novelty of your writing, I will share it for everyone to read together. I look forward to reading many articles from you.
thank you kindly
Looks great!
Wow, absolutely delicious!
Made the keema lentils for dinner tonight. Wonderful recipe. I used roasted corn instead of the peas because that is what I had on hand. Flavor was incredible.
Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
yay!!
I don’t get this – where is the recipe for the naan? Thanks
Oops, it didnt get linked. Here it is https://fettabbau-trim.today/2011/12/naan-plain-garlic-stuffed-and-more.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E