To begin making the Pumpkin Tagine Recipe, first cook the lentils until soft but not mushy. To cook the lentils in a pressure cooker, place the lentils the cooker along with 2 cups of water and salt. Cover the cooker, place the weight on and cook until you hear one whistle. After the first whistle, turn the heat to low and allow the lentils to simmer for about 3 minutes and turn off the heat.

Allow the pressure to release naturally. Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and keep the lentils aside.

The next step is to stew the tomatoes, roughly chop them and keep aside. Click here to see how to stew the tomatoes. The link shows you how to puree tomatoes, but for this recipe, chopped tomatoes work well.

Get the vegetable stock ready too. Click to see how to make vegetable stock. If you don't find the time to make vegetable stock, then you can use water and adjust the spices in the Tagine to bring out the flavors.

Next step is to make the Pumpkin Tagine. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan or a Tagine. Add in the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are soft and tender.

Once the onions are soft, add in the turmeric powder, cumin powder, sambal oelek, paprika or chilli powder, sugar, salt and the tomatoes and pumpkin. Saute until the vegetables get partially cooked.

Next add in the cooked lentils, stir it into the pumpkin tagine and check the salt and spice levels. Adjust to suit your taste. Cover the large pan or the tagine and simmer for about 15 minutes until all of them come together with the spices and are perfectly cooked.

Turn off the heat and the Pumpkin Tagine is ready to be served along with your favorite spiced rice or couscous or Homemade Pita Bread.