Dhal Do!

I cook most evenings but sometimes I don’t feel like a big dinner after work, I want something comforting, filling but not too substantial. Enter dhal! Dhal is an Indian lentil curry which is quite easy to make and it can be adapted any way you like. I’ve tried The Green Saffron’s version which would be quite nice to serve if you were having company as it includes coconut milk so is therefore a bit more luxurious but I just go for a very simple version myself. It calls for two types of curry powder; why? That’s what’s in my cupboard and the mix tastes great but you can adapt as you like. Also, if I want to make a real meal out of it, I collect a garlic, onion & coriander naan from my local Indian (the Indira) and keep it warm in the oven until the curry is ready. I know that’s cheating but really, it’s the tandoor oven that makes the naan properly & I don’t have one. We’ll call it improvising!

Dhal

with optional naan bread

Serves 2

What You Need

A cup of red lentils, washed

1 medium onion

1 clove of garlic

1 thumb sized piece of ginger

1 Tbsp mild korma curry powder

1 Tbsp hot madras curry powder

6 tomatoes

1 pint of veg stock or water

A handful of fresh coriander

Sea salt & pepper

What You Do

• Chop the onion, garlic & ginger finely and sweat in some vegetable oil until soft.
• Add the curry powders & lentils and stir until everything is coated with powder.
• Slowly, add the stock, mix with a wooden spoon and clean the bottom of the pan – there will be curry powder stuck to the bottom of the pan which comes off when you add the liquid slowly while rubbing.
• Chop the tomatoes and add to the curry and season. Cook the lentils until tender, which will take about 20 mins & stir regularly. You may need to add more water / stock.
• When the dhal is ready, add in the chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Comments

[Karen Barry]

Hi Sarah
I'm definitely going to try this receipe. It sounds wonderful. I'm loving the blog. Kx

[Sarah]

Thanks Karen, keep coming back... Sxx

[BrianMol]

For an alternative try adding red curry paste and a little cocunut milk with a red chillie diced in.........Your recipe sounds good too tho....and i know it tastes nice cos i've tried it.....

[Jen]

Sounds tasty and just the kind of thing I would like ot eat right now as I look out at the darkening sky, wind and rain lashing the office window, thinking of a warm bowl of dhal in hand and a nice fire.

[Sarah]

Ah Jen, you paint such a lovely picture!!!