Easy red lentil dal
A mild and easy red lentil dal recipe that the whole family can enjoy. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sunflower or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 onion peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and finely chopped
- 1 inch chunk of ginger peeled and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes or 4-5 fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 500 ml hot water
- 200 g dried split red lentils
- 1 tablespoon garam masala or other curry powder
Optional extras if serving to adults/older children
- salt and pepper to taste, optional
- Dried red chillis chopped to taste, or leave them out altogether if serving to small children or babies
Instructions
- Heat some oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and fry for a minute or so until starting to turn brown.
- Add the onion, stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid and cook gently for around 10 minutes until the onion is soft. Remove the lid, stir, turn the heat up a little and cook for 2-3 more minutes to get a little colour on the onion.
- Add the chopped ginger and garlic, fry for 1 minute, then add 1 teaspoon turmeric (and chilli to taste if you're using) and stir well.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, stir and cook for a further five minutes.
- Stir through 200g dried split red lentils and 500ml hot water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, partially cover the pan with a lid and simmer for around 20 minutes until the lentils are soft. Top up with extra hot water if needed.
- Add a tablespoon of garam masala and season with salt (not for babies) and pepper to taste. Stir well.
- Serve with rice and/or bread. Enjoy!
Notes
- The longer you leave this the better so make in advance or even the day before if you have time.
- Nutritional information is approximate and is intended as a guide only.
- You may wish to remove your baby's portion and then season the rest with salt.
Nutrition
Calories: 496kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 29gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 310mgPotassium: 1481mgFiber: 35gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 287IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 155mgIron: 11mg
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