Red Lentil Dahl with Spinach and Curried Yogurt
With approximately 26% of their calories from protein, lentils have the third-highest level of protein by weight, of any plant-based after soybeans and hemp. Lentils are an important part of the diet in the Indian subcontinent, which has large vegetarian population.
Made with spices of Ayurvedic importance, this is a powerfully healthy and healing dish..
Red Lentil Dahl with Spinach and Curried Yogurt
Serves 2 (adapted from a recipe by the Post-Punk Kitchen)
1 tablespoon ghee
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup dried red lentils, rinsed and picked over
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups vegetable stock
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon hulled cardomom
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 dried red chiles, seeded
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon good curry powder
Toast whole spices in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking often until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and pulse with chiles. Set aside.
Heat ghee in a heavy skillet over medium heat and fry onions until golden. Add tomatoes and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add ginger, garlic, turmeric, black pepper and toasted spices and fry 5 minutes.
Add vegetable stock and lentils and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20-25 minutes. Add spinach and cook 3 minutes, then add lime and cilantro, adjusting consistency with tomato paste if necessary.
Serve over brown basmati and top with a dollop of curried yogurt.
This post is in support of Meatless Monday, whose goal it is to goal is to help reduce
meat consumption by 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.
Dink said,
December 7, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Forgot about meatless Monday but fortunatly I came by the fresh out of the garden Cauliflower. I boiled it for about 5 minutes…cooked some whole wheat pasta in the same water. While the pasta was cooking, I sauted in olive oil, baby bellas, sliced , garlic and the cauliflower for about 5 minutes. breaking up the veg. into bite size pieces. Added white wine, red pepper flakes, sun dried tomatoes snd tossed in some hemp seeds. Toss with the pasta, grate some asiago cheese over top and enjoy. Next time I may sauce up the veg a little with some cream.
Ren said,
December 7, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Yum!
Diane said,
December 7, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Dahl was my favorite dish in India! I love it!!!
Ren said,
December 7, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I try to get to India every week or so. One day I may even leave the house :-)
sustainableeats said,
December 7, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Wow Ren! That is what I’m cooking right now. You are brilliant, of course. ;p
Mine doesn’t have ginger in it but maybe I’ll throw some in. I have dried nettles instead of spinach since this is my total pantry dish.
I’m even making cumin yogurt for topping. Hmmm..what color shirt are you wearing? Wonder if we matched shirts today too?
Ren said,
December 8, 2009 at 6:20 am
Nettles for the medicinal properties? I’ve only ever made tea from nettles.
sustainableeats said,
December 8, 2009 at 10:49 am
We eat them as a winter green as well. They freeze into cubes or dehydrated you can crumble them into stews and soups.
Ren said,
December 8, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I looked it up- so the leaves taste sort of like spinach?
sustainableeats said,
December 8, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Not really, they aren’t as strong tasting. Sort of like non-descript cooked green thing. I break them into tiny pieces and tell everyone it’s parsley. I’ve been meaning to make a chocolate mint ice cream with mystery green flakes in it….Not sure they would buy that one but I’m going to try.
Tuesday Twister « Edible Aria said,
December 8, 2009 at 6:13 pm
[...] Red Lentil Dahl with Spinach and Curried Yogurt Made with spices of Ayurvedic importance, this is a powerfully healthy and healing [...]
Christiane said,
December 8, 2009 at 6:49 pm
This looks fabulous! I can’t wait to add it to our upcoming menu.
Ren said,
December 8, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Thank you, Christiane!
Sahara said,
December 8, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Yum! I made this tonight and we all loved it.
Ren said,
December 8, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Awesome! Thanks!
Rebecca said,
December 8, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Oh, I am definitely having this one of these weeks as I have a big jar of red lentils in my pantry!
Ren said,
December 8, 2009 at 9:33 pm
They’re really versatile! And cheap! & good :-)
reluctantfoodie said,
December 12, 2009 at 12:39 pm
This sounds delicious! Red lentil dal is one of my favorites.
Ren said,
December 12, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Mine too! Love the Post Punk Kitchen :-)
Dinner – Red Lentil Dahl | a year of marriage. said,
January 17, 2010 at 6:17 pm
[...] {Photo from Edible Aria.} [...]