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Red Lentil Dahl in bowl with rice
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Red Lentil Dahl

This easy, creamy red lentil dahl (masoor dal curry) is frugal, hearty, comforting, flavorful, packed with plant-based protein, and ready in just 30 minutes! Serve with home-cooked rice and naan bread for a gluten-free, dairy-free Indian-inspired feast!
Course Dinner
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (300 g) dry red lentils
  • 1 large (200 g) carrot finely diced (see notes)
  • 1 small bell pepper
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 heaped tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 cups (720 ml) vegetable broth or water
  • 1 cup (240 ml) canned coconut milk (see notes)
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1/2 tbsp sweetener of choice
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  • You can watch the short video for visual instructions.
    Rinse lentils under running water. Chop the onion, garlic, ginger, bell pepper, and carrot.
  • Heat oil in a pot and sauté onion for about 3-4 minutes over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, carrot, and bell pepper.
  • Add all spices, sweetener, lentils, and vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
  • Finally, add coconut milk and cook for a further 5 minutes or until the desired thickness of the dahl is reached.
  • Season with black pepper and salt. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  • Serve warm with basmati rice, potatoes, or naan (flatbread) and garnish with fresh herbs.

Notes

Video Of The Recipe

 
  • You can also use sweet potato or pumpkin instead of carrot.
  • It's possible to use any plant-based cream (like soy cream, oat cream, etc) instead of canned coconut milk. You could also use plant-based milk (e.g. almond milk, cashew milk, etc.) for a low-fat/low-calorie version. In my opinion, this dal tastes best with coconut milk.
  • The recipe serves 6. Nutrition facts are for one serving.
Nutrition Facts
Red Lentil Dahl
Amount per Serving
Calories
302
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9.7
g
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
35
g
12
%
Fiber
 
8.1
g
32
%
Sugar
 
5.8
g
6
%
Protein
 
14
g
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.