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
27fl. ozcoconut 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
If you reheat the leftovers, stir in a bit of cold water to the lentils to get the right consistency.It's important to soak the lentils before cooking them, this helps them to soften.If, after cooking, the lentils are still a little tough, add a little more water and turn the heat to low for 15 minutes.Nutritional value based on 1 of 6 servings