Description
A comforting and flavorful Red Lentil Dahl recipe featuring tender red lentils simmered with aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and creamy coconut milk. This easy-to-make vegetarian dish is perfect for a wholesome weeknight meal and pairs beautifully with rice, potatoes, or naan.
Ingredients
Scale
Legumes & Vegetables
- 1 1/2 cups dry red lentils
- 1 large carrot, finely diced
- 1 small bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 heaped tbsp fresh ginger, minced
Liquids & Oils
- 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1/2 tbsp sweetener of choice (e.g. sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- Sea salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/3 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under running water to remove any dust or impurities. Chop the onion, mince the garlic and ginger, dice the carrot finely, and chop the bell pepper.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Then add the minced ginger, garlic, diced carrot, and chopped bell pepper and cook briefly to release their flavors.
- Add Spices and Lentils: Stir in the ground cumin, curry powder, sweetener, turmeric, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well to coat the vegetables with the spices. Then add the rinsed lentils and pour in the vegetable broth or water. Bring everything to a boil.
- Simmer Dahl: Once boiling, reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. This allows the lentils to soften and absorb the flavors.
- Incorporate Coconut Milk: Pour in the canned coconut milk and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the dahl reaches your preferred thickness—stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season and Adjust: Season with sea salt and black pepper according to your taste. Give the dahl a final stir and adjust any spices if needed.
- Serve: Serve the red lentil dahl warm, accompanied by basmati rice, potatoes, or naan bread. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Finely dicing the carrot helps it cook faster and integrate better with the lentils.
- You can substitute vegetable broth with water if preferred.
- The sweetener can be sugar, honey, or maple syrup depending on your preference.
- Optional red pepper flakes add a bit of heat; adjust or omit based on spice tolerance.
- For a thicker dahl, simmer longer or reduce the amount of liquid used.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: red lentil dahl, indian lentil curry, vegetarian dahl recipe, coconut milk dahl, easy lentil stew
