Sri Lankan Red Dahl
This plant-based Sri Lankan Red Dahl is the most delicious fresh tasting creamy Dahl you could imagine! Packed full of goodness and incredible flavours, this may very well become your new favourite vegan Dahl.
Serves
Ingredients
For the dahl
<item-todo-done>400ml water<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>800ml coconut milk<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 tsp sea salt<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 lemon<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>320g red lentils<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp ground turmeric<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>½ tsp ground cinnamon<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>½ tsp cayenne pepper<item-todo-done>
For the temper
<item-todo-done>½ onion<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tbsp coconut oil<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 Handful of curry leaves<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp mustard seeds<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp cumin seeds<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp curry powder<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 garlic cloves<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 bunch of fresh coriander<item-todo-done>
To serve
<item-todo-done> lemon<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> Handful of crispy onions<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> coriander leaves<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> chapati<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> green chilli sliced<item-todo-done>
Before you start
Soak and rinse the lentils thoroughly in cold water | Large saucepan | Blender | Frying pan
For the dahl
- Drain the lentils and transfer to a large pan with water, coconut milk, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne, and simmer on a low heat uncovered for 25 minutes
- Don’t add any salt at this stage as this will harden the lentils
Meanwhile, make the temper
- Finely dice the onion, garlic and coriander stalks (reserve the leaves for garnish)
- Heat the coconut oil in a medium frying pan
- Once it starts to smoke add the fresh curry leaves if you have them, plus the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry powder, diced onion and garlic
- Fry while stirring until the seeds start to pop and the onions start to soften
- Set aside until needed
Finish the dahl
- Once the lentils are cooked, turn off the heat and add the sea salt and zest of a lemon
- Blend half the dahl in a blender, add the blended mix back in the pot and mix through (this will make the dahl extra creamy)
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon to lift up the goodness and season to perfection
To serve
- Spoon the dahl into serving bowls, drizzle the temper mix over the top, and serve the tempered dahl with crispy onions, fresh green chilis, the reserved coriander leaves and a chapati or pitta on the side