Spinach and coconut dahl recipe

Spinach and coconut dahl recipe

Spinach and lentils are a very typical combination but this recipe is special. It flavours the spinach with lovely spices and coconut, making the taste unique. You can eat a bowl of this on its own, or serve it with rice. If you can't find the variety of lentils in a supermarket, they're widely available online.

Store in an airtight box in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat well before serving.

Ingredients

For the lentils
  • 250 g toor dal
  • 1.2 l water
  • 1.2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 8.8 oz toor dal
  • 2.1 pints water
  • 1.2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 8.8 oz toor dal
  • 5.1 cups water
  • 1.2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
For the spinach
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tbsp urad dal
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 dried red chillies
  • 50 g fresh coconut, roughly chopped
  • 200 g fresh spinach
  • 100 ml boiling water
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tbsp urad dal
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 dried red chillies
  • 1.8 oz fresh coconut, roughly chopped
  • 7.1 oz fresh spinach
  • 3.5 fl oz boiling water
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tbsp urad dal
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 dried red chillies
  • 1.8 oz fresh coconut, roughly chopped
  • 7.1 oz fresh spinach
  • 0.4 cup boiling water
For the tadka
  • 1 tsp ghee
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 2 dried red chillies
  • 1 pinch asafoetida
  • 1 tsp ghee
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 2 dried red chillies
  • 1 pinch asafoetida
  • 1 tsp ghee
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 2 dried red chillies
  • 1 pinch asafoetida

Details

  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Recipe Type: Dahl
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Preparation Time: 10 mins
  • Cooking Time: 65 mins
  • Serves: 4

Step-by-step

  1. Start by combining the lentils, water, salt and turmeric in a pan and bringing them to the boil. Reduce the heat, then cover and cook for 40–45 minutes, until the lentils are soft.
  2. To cook the spinach, heat the ghee in another pan and add the urad dal. Cook for 2 minutes on a low heat until slightly golden, then add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black pepper, dried red chillies and coconut. Let it all sizzle for a minute.
  3. Add the spinach and boiling water. Cover and cook on a low heat for 2 minutes, until the spinach has wilted. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blitz to a purée.
  4. Tip the purée into the pan of cooked lentils and return to the boil.
  5. For the tadka, heat the ghee in a small pan. Add the mustard seeds, dried red chillies and asafoetida and let them sizzle for a minute. Stir this mixture into the lentils and serve.

This recipe is from Chetna’s Healthy Indian Vegetarian by Chetna Makan. Published by Mitchell Beazley, £20.00, www.octopusbooks.co.uk. Photography by Nassima Rothacker.

Chetna's Healthy Indian

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