Vegan Tarka Dahl Recipes

Steps:

• Soak the yellow split peas overnight, drain and rinse.
• Add to pan of cold water. add veg stock cube and garam masala.
• Bring to boil and simmer for 30 minutes or until soft, drain and set aside.
• Heat the mustard and onion seeds in a frying pan until the mustard seeds start to pop usually about 30 secs to a minute; add the ghee and oil and bring to a high heat.
• Add the onions, stirring frequently. Turn down the heat and add the garlic and ginger. Stir and cook for a further two minutes and add the spices, stirring well.
• Add the cooked yellow split peas, adding a little more oil or ghee if necessary. Add the spinach and molasses/sugar and a 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a low simmer and cook gently for 5-10 minutes.
• Serve with naan bread.

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils several times until the water runs clear, then tip into a saucepan with 1 litre water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 mins, skimming the froth from the top. Cover with a lid and cook for a further 40 mins, stirring occasionally, until it's a thick, soupy consistency.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat the ghee or oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, then fry the onion and garlic until the onion is softened, so around 8 mins. Add the turmeric and garam masala, then cook for a further minute. Set aside.
• Tip the lentils into bowls and spoon half the onion mixture on top. Top with the coriander and tomato to serve.

Steps:

• Gently boil the lentils in a large saucepan of cold water (around 4 cups will do) and stir in the turmeric and black cardamom pods (if using)-this will add a subtle smoky flavor. Allow to cook for around 45 minutes, or until the lentils have softened and started to break down. Skim off any foam that sits on the top and give the lentils a stir every now and again in case they begin to stick on the bottom. If they boil dry, add more water.
• Once the lentils have softened, turn down the heat and make the tadka. Gently heat the oil in a skillet and add the cinnamon sticks, green cardamom pods and cloves. When the cardamoms have turned white and the heads of the cloves have swollen, you are ready to stir in the mustard and cumin seeds. When they are sizzling, stir in the scallions, chiles, garlic and ginger.
• After a minute, stir through the tomatoes and turn off the heat. Pour the tadka into the dhal so that it floats on top. This is the traditional way to serve it, with the scented oil sitting on top, but I prefer to stir it through. Season with salt, sugar and lemon juice. Finally, stir through plenty of chopped cilantro and serve with some rice or fresh bread for the ultimate comfort food.

Steps:

• Wash lentils until the water runs clear.
• Add water until 1 inch above the surface of the lentils and boil.
• Add onions, bay leaf, turmeric and salt.
• Cook lentils for 10-15 mins or until soft.
• Remove bay leaf and blend lentils using a hand blender until you achieve desired consistency, preferably smooth.
• *Add more water at this point if you want a thinner dhal*
• Heat oil in a frying pan until hot and add dried red chilli and garlic. Allow garlic to lightly brown.
• Add this flavored oil to the blended lentils.
• Add tomatoes and chopped coriander.
• Serve with basmati or jasmine rice and lemon wedge.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear, then drain. Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan and cook the onions over a low heat for 10 mins until starting to brown, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 30 seconds. Scatter in the curry leaves, if using, and all the spices and cook for a few minutes more, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for a minute longer.
• Stir in the lentils, ensuring they're well coated in the spices, then pour over the coconut milk and 850ml water. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, then simmer for about 30 mins until the lentils are soft and soupy. Scoop out the whole chilli and discard, then season generously with salt. The dhal can now be left to cool, then frozen in portions, or as one batch in a large plastic container. Defrost completely before reheating in a pan over a low heat, adding more water to loosen if needed.
• Serve with a sprinkling of the coriander, sliced ginger and chilli, and drizzle with a bit more oil.