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Purple Lentil Dahl [So Quick & So Easy]


Purple lentils cook dinner rapidly, with out the necessity for soaking, which makes them an excellent base for a speedy curry evening. This crimson lentil dahl is creamy, calmly spiced and completely saucy – preferrred for scooping up with heat chapati or naan. I like how the lentils break down as they simmer, turning right into a velvety dish that feels comforting but healthful, all in beneath half-hour.

A bowl of lentil curry garnished with a swirl of cream, fresh coriander, and spices, with a piece of bread in the background.

Nicky’s Notes

I first created this dahl whereas testing recipes for my e-book Fast & Straightforward. I needed a meat-free curry that didn’t compromise on flavour, but in addition ticked the containers for fibre and protein. Purple lentils have been the proper reply — quick-cooking, filling, and excellent at absorbing spices. The coconut milk brings in a beautiful creaminess, whereas a remaining squeeze of lime retains it recent and vibrant.

📋 Elements for Purple Lentil Dahl

***Full recipe with detailed portions within the recipe card under***

A wooden surface with labelled ingredients for a red lentil dhal, including stock, red pepper, red lentils, spices, lime, onion, garlic, butter, ginger paste, coconut milk, oil, and salt & pepper.

Abbreviated Recipe

***Full recipe with detailed steps within the recipe card under***

Sauté onion, crimson pepper, garlic and spices. Stir in rinsed crimson lentils, veg inventory and coconut milk. Simmer 15 minutes till creamy. End with lime juice, butter and a swirl of yoghurt. Serve with naan or rice.

Recipe Ideas

  • Don’t skip the lime juice on the finish! It lifts the entire dish and balances the creamy coconut milk superbly. That contact of acidity is what makes it sing.
  • This dahl freezes nicely. Merely cool, then freeze in parts in sealed containers. Defrost within the fridge in a single day, then reheat in a pan, or microwave till piping sizzling.

Creamy and calmly spiced, with heat notes of garam masala and ginger, candy pops from crimson pepper, and a citrusy raise from lime. Absolute consolation in a bowl.

A bowl of lentil dal garnished with cream, coriander, and spices, served with naan bread, rice, and extra coriander on a dark surface.A bowl of lentil dal garnished with cream, coriander, and spices, served with naan bread, rice, and extra coriander on a dark surface.

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It’s in my e-book!

This crimson lentil dhal recipe is featured in my e-book ‘Fast & Straightforward’

Is it Dahl, Daal or Dal?

You’ll see this dish spelled a couple of alternative ways – dhal, dal, daal – however all of them basically imply the identical factor: lentils!. The phrase comes from Sanskrit and easily means “cut up pulses.” In India you’ll usually see dal, whereas within the UK and US we often write dahl or daal. Nonetheless you spell it, it’s all the time hearty, nourishing and attractive!

🍽️ What to serve it with

I like to serve my crimson lentil dahl with a swirl if pure yogurt, some recent corriander and a sprinkle of chilli flakes. When you needed to do a little bit of feast then you possibly can serve it with:

A bowl of red lentil dhal dal garnished with cream and coriander, served with naan bread and a side of rice.A bowl of red lentil dhal dal garnished with cream and coriander, served with naan bread and a side of rice.

📺 Watch methods to make the dahl

When you’re a visible cook dinner, please watch the complete video tutorial on this dhal recipe — it actually helps to see the feel because it simmers and the purpose the place the lentils go creamy.

  • Warmth the oil or ghee in a medium saucepan over a medium warmth.

    1 tablespoon oil or ghee

  • Add the onions and peppers and cook dinner for 3 minutes, till barely softened.

    1 onion, 1 crimson bell pepper

  • Add the garlic, ginger, garam masala, turmeric, paprika, chilli flakes and fenugreek and stir collectively to coat the onion and peppers within the spices. Cook dinner for one minute.

    3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon ginger paste, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon chilli flakes, ¼ teaspoon floor fenugreek

  • Add the lentils, inventory, coconut milk, salt and pepper.

    300 g (1 ½ cups) dried crimson lentils, rinsed, 720 ml (3 cups) vegetable inventory, 200 ml (7oz) tin full-fat coconut milk, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ pepper

  • Stir and produce to the boil, then simmer for quarter-hour, stirring usually, till the lentils are delicate and tender. Add a splash of water or inventory if begins to look too dry.

  • Flip off the warmth, stir within the lime juice and butter.

    2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 tablespoons salted butter

  • Swirl in a little bit pure yogurt, then serve topped with recent coriander and chilli flakes.

    Pure yogurt, Recent coriander (cilantro), Chilli flakes

Tip: This dahl freezes nicely. Merely cool, then freeze in parts in sealed containers. Defrost within the fridge in a single day, then reheat in a pan, or microwave till piping sizzling.

Energy: 510kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 22g | Fats: 23g | Saturated Fats: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 3g | Trans Fats: 0.2g | Ldl cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 722mg | Fiber: 26g | Sugar: 6g

Vitamin info is robotically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

? Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Are you able to freeze crimson lentil dahl?

This dahl freezes nicely. Merely cool, then freeze in parts in sealed containers. Defrost within the fridge in a single day, then reheat in a pan, or microwave till piping sizzling.

🍲 Extra scrumptious lentil recipes

Among the hyperlinks on this put up could also be affiliate hyperlinks – which suggests in the event you purchase the product I get a small fee (at no additional price to you). When you do purchase, then thanks! That’s what helps us to maintain Kitchen Sanctuary operating. The dietary info supplied is approximate and may range relying on a number of elements. For extra info please see our Phrases & Circumstances.

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