Red lentil dahl
We love Dahl and have been cooking it at home and in our cafe for years! This red lentil Dahl is of our oldest and favourite recipes. Vegan, gluten free and made with no oil, yet so tasty and comforting. A great recipe for batch cooking too! We hope you try it!
Takes: 40 mins | Makes: 4 Servings | Difficulty: Beginner
This Red lentil Dahl recipe is delicious. Dahl is one of the most widely eaten dishes in the world, well in India anyway! A delicious smooth lentil based curry that melts in your mouth! It is like a warm hug on a cold day and definitely is comforting! We have been making Dahl for years. It is a real staple on our Happy Pear cafe menu most weeks in some form, whether made with red lentils or mung beans, with coconut milk or without, oven baked or cooked in a pot. There are so many ways to get from A to Dahl!This recipe is easy to follow and is a good basis to start your Dahl cooking adventure on.. As it is a recipe from our Happy Heart Course it is low in fat, high in fibre and full of heart healthy nutrition.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Yes, it’s no problem to use tinned lentils. Just use 2-3 400g tins of lentils and drain and rinse before using. And only use approx 500ml of water.
No problem, simply use an equal amount of curry powder in place of all the different spices.
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great.
Store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
Yes indeed, simply use a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
It will last for 2 days in the fridge
Serving suggestions for this Red lentil Dahl
- It goes brilliant served with a Dosa pancake from this easy Channa Masala with a chickpea Dosa recipe
- These Sweet Potato Fritter make a great starter
- Here is a Our 3 favourite recipes with chickpeas that goes wonderfully
- A super tasty and healthier dessert are these easy to make Healthier caramel square
Our favourite Dahl recipes
- This 5 minute Dahl recipe is one of our favourites!
- One of our most popular Dahl recipes is this Easy vegan Dahl for weigh loss
- Here is a lovely Coconut and green lentil Dahl that is so tasty
Red Lentil Dahl
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 500 g red lentils
- 2 red onions
- 3 cloves of garlic
- ½ a thumb-size piece of ginger
- 1 courgette
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 3 tsp medium curry powder
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp tamari
- juice of 1 lime
- small bunch of fresh coriander
Instructions
- Peel and finely slice the onions, garlic and ginger. Cut the courgette into bite-size pieces and roughly chop the tomatoes
- Saute the onions, garlic and ginger in 4 tbsp of water in a large pan on a high heat for 5 minutes. Stir regularly, adding more water if they start to stick to the bottom of the pan. When the onions are soft, add the courgette, tomatoes and 1 tsp salt. Cover the pan and cook gently over a low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the lentils, spices, tamari, lime juice, the remaining salt and 2 litres of water, and bring to the boil. Reduce to a low heat and simmer for 25 minutes, or until you are happy with the texture of the dahl. Stir regularly, as lentils have a tendency to stick
- Finely chop the coriander and sprinkle over the dahl. Serve with brown rice or toasted wholemeal pitta breads, cut into soldiers. Mango chutney is also a nice accompaniment
Nutrition
Video
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6 Comments
Naomi says:
Thank you for this brilliant recipe, so easy to make and total comfort food in a bowl : )- Aylo says:
Is the calories for the whole lot or per serving?
Would soy sauce work for Tamari?- Gabrielle Pour says:
Is the calories for the total meal or is it for one person?
- Michelle says:
Total success with this dish, sublime ! - Joan Jackson says:
Will definitely be trying this now that I’ve got my new cooker!
- Lily Rosa Hallett says:
lily here, just wanted to say that 500g of lentils seems a tad unnecessary – unless you are feeding a family of 500 rats!!! proper sad pear :(((
Naomi 
Aylo 
Gabrielle Pour 
Michelle 
Joan Jackson 
Lily Rosa Hallett 
6 Comments
Thank you for this brilliant recipe, so easy to make and total comfort food in a bowl : )
Is the calories for the whole lot or per serving?
Would soy sauce work for Tamari?
Is the calories for the total meal or is it for one person?
Total success with this dish, sublime !
Will definitely be trying this now that I’ve got my new cooker!
lily here, just wanted to say that 500g of lentils seems a tad unnecessary – unless you are feeding a family of 500 rats!!! proper sad pear :(((