Red Lentil Daal
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
Red Lentil Daal, a light, healthy, and fast weeknight meal. Plant-based, oil free, gluten free.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 2½ cups of water (additional water if needed)
  • 2½ cups of water (additional water if needed)
  • ½ cup of light coconut milk (if desired, can use plain almond milk with a drop of coconut extract to reduce fat)
  • ½ cup of light coconut milk (if desired, can use plain almond milk with a drop of coconut extract to reduce fat)
  • 1½ tbsp of peeled and minced ginger
  • 1½ tbsp of peeled and minced ginger
  • 1½ tbsp minced garlic
  • 1½ tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 cup mined red onion
  • 1 cup mined red onion
  • 1 15-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 15-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • ½ tsp cumin seed
  • ½ tsp cumin seed
  • 1 stalk of fresh curry leaves, these are fragrant and can be found at Indian supermarkets. If you don't have, you can substitute 1 large bay leaf, however the fragrance won't be as bold. Curry leaves are edible, whereas bay leaves are not.
  • 1 stalk of fresh curry leaves, these are fragrant and can be found at Indian supermarkets. If you don't have, you can substitute 1 large bay leaf, however the fragrance won't be as bold. Curry leaves are edible, whereas bay leaves are not.
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • Optional: chopped greens if desired
  • Optional: chopped greens if desired
  • juice of ½ a lemon
  • juice of ½ a lemon
  • fresh cilantro to serve
Instructions
  1. Heat a heavy bottomed stock pot. Once hot, add onions garlic, ginger, and 2 tbsp of water. Sauté until onions begin to sweat, and turn slightly golden. Add in cumin seed, turmeric, salt, and crushed red pepper. Stir to combine.
  2. Add in lentils, water, coconut milk, tomatoes, curry leaves, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.
  3. Cook until lentils are creamy and soft, adding additional water if needed. Can add some fresh greens if desired.
  4. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice, additional salt/pepper if needed.
  5. Serve with rice and fresh cilantro.
Recipe by Garden Fresh Foodie at https://gardenfreshfoodie.com/soups-stews/red-lentil-daal/