This green lentil daal recipe is Indian inspired and packed full of tasty spices. It's ready in less than 45 minutes, made in one pot and perfect for meal prep. It also happens to be vegan, so it's perfect for your meat free Monday!
2bay leavesor 4 curry leaves if you can find them!
1red onionfinely diced
2inchesgingerminced
4clovesgarlicminced
2red chilisminced
27fluid ouncescoconut milk (2 cans)or cream if you want it thicker. 800ml
1cupwater200 ml ( more if needed)
juice of one lime
salt and pepper
Instructions
Place the lentils in a large bowl of water and set to one side. Chop the ingredients and get your spices ready!
Heat the oil in large pot over a medium heat. Once hot, add the mustard seeds.
When the mustard seeds start to pop, add in the turmeric, cumin, curry powder and bay leaves. Stir for a couple of minutes until the spices become fragrant.
Add in the onion, ginger, garlic and chili. Stir so that the spice coats the onions and cook for 5 minutes until the onions start to soften.
Drain the lentils, and add in to the pot. Add the coconut milk, lime juice and water and mix well. Pop a lid on for 15 minutes
After 15 minutes, take the lid off and give a good stir, at this point you can add any added vegetables that you wish. Cook the dish for another 10 or so minutes until excess liquid has cooked off
At this point, you could stir in some spinach or herbs - parsley and coriander work really well!
Serve with naan or rice
Notes
Make sure that your spices are fresh and fragrant for the best flavor.
Soak the lentils in water while you prepare the rest of the dish. This will strt to soften them and reduce the cooking time.
Take care not to overcook your spices before adding the other ingredients.
Chop and mince the onion, garlic, ginger and chili as finely as you can so that they combine well with the lentils.
Check on the pot during cooking and add more water if needed.
If you reheat the leftovers, stir in a bit of cold water to the lentils to get the right consistency.