EASY VEGAN RED LENTIL DAHL - VEGAN || GF || WFPB • Delaney Jaye

Easy Vegan Lentil Dahl

Lentil Dahl is a traditional Indian dish. (I saw that Dahl is a word that implies legumes, so I’m not sure, is “lentil dahl” redundant?) I tried lentil dahl for the first time at a local Himalayan restaurant in my hometown (back in San Diego) and fell. in. love. Oh my goodness is this dish delicious.

ABOUT THIS RECIPE

I won’t pretend that I can compete with generations of tradition, but I will say this version is pretty darn good. For that reason, I’ll clarify that this recipe is lovingly Indian inspired and it’s easy to make, so I hope you enjoy it!

So anyways, I love to take one day each weekend to meal-prep, deep clean, and light candles. There’s something so soothing about a home that looks and feels fresh. (Side Note: It may just be me, but I genuinely don’t feel like the house is clean until my candles are lit.)

I was messing around in the kitchen looking at the foods we had available to decide what to cook. Lentil Dahl came to mind, but I didn’t have everything I needed from any of the recipes I found.

So instead of using a recipe, I combined a few and added my own twists to come up with an entirely new (and delicious) recipe.

Honestly, that’s my favorite way to cook.

I’m not much of a recipe person myself. I love to get inspiration from recipe books and YouTube videos, but I find that strictly following a recipe usually leads to buying way too many ingredients that I won’t use again. I’m a minimalist at heart and think I can make food that tastes just as good without that expensive specialty spice found at only one store in town.

So long story short, this recipe is a hodge-podge of recipes with my own twist. If you don’t have exactly the right ingredients for it, you have my full permission to improvise. You’ll learn so much more that way anyway.

What you'll need

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Without further ado, let’s get into the recipe!

Here’s what you’ll need:

INGREDIENTS

– 400g (2 cups) Red Lentils (well rinsed)
– 500ml (2 cups) Vegetable Broth
– 3 Tomatoes (diced) or 2 large Tomatoes (diced) or 1 can of diced Tomatoes
– 1 can (15oz) of full fat Coconut Milk or 1 can of light Coconut Milk* (it will not come out as creamy)*
– 3 Shallots or 2 Onions (minced)
– 3 Cloves of Garlic (minced) or more if you’re like me and measure garlic with your heart
– 1tsp Coconut Oil or Olive Oil
– 1/2 a Lime or Lemon (for juice)

SPICES
– 1tsp Cumin
– 1tbsp Curry Powder
– 1tsp Paprika (the spice)
– 1tsp Ginger Powder
– Salt & Pepper (to taste)

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

Some optional toppings that taste great on this dish include:
– Cilantro (or Coriander if you’re European).
– Green/Spring Onion
– Lime Wedge (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large pot or wok, heat the coconut oil on medium-low until it’s liquid (if it’s already liquid, just heat it with the pan).
2. Once the pot or wok is warm, add your diced onion/shallot and let it cook until it starts to brown slightly (about 4-5 minutes).
3. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Pour in the spices and toss to coat the onion/garlic.
5. Add in the vegetable broth, coconut milk, lentils, tomatoes, and a healthy pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Stir.
7. Cook on medium low until the lentils have cooked (should be about 20 minutes). Stir every few minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn the pot/wok.
8. Taste and adjust the salt/pepper if it needs more flavor.
9. Once the lentils are tender, you can let it keep cooking at this point, just turn the heat to low and let it simmer (it will continue to soak up liquid and flavor). You can also skip the extra cooking if you like it the way it is.
10. Squeeze the half lime over the dahl and stir.
11. Remove from heat.
12. Serve with rice and garnish with any toppings you like.

This recipe will serve 4 (or fewer with leftovers).

This lentil dahl recipe is so comforting on a cold day, and it only gets better with age. If you have leftovers, it should store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

It’s creamy, flavorful, wholesome, and delicious.

If you try it, I’d love to see your creation! Tag me on Instagram @delaneyjaye so I can see and share in your success!