Velvety Red Lentil Dahl Recipes

RED LENTIL DAL

Steps:

• Blanch and chop the tomatoes: While the lentils are cooking in step 1, bring a separate small pot of water to a boil. Score the peel of the tomatoes with a sharp knife in the shape of an "X". Place the tomatoes in the boiling water and blanch for one minute. Remove the tomatoes to a bowl to cool. Once cool, peel the tomatoes and cut out and discard the tough stem end. Chop the tomatoes, or mash them, and set aside.

VELVETY RED LENTIL DAHL

Steps:

• Heat the coconut oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the cumin and mustard seeds and sauté until they begin to pop, then quickly add the onion, ginger, turmeric, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and sauté for 2 minutes more. Pour in 1/2 cup of the broth to deglaze the pan and cook until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Add the red lentils and stir well, then add the remaining 7 1/2 cups broth and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until tender.
• Add another 1/4 teaspoon of salt and simmer, for another 5 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and stir in the lime juice and agave nectar.
• In a blender, puree the soup in batches until very smooth, adding additional broth or water if you'd like a thinner soup.
• Return the soup to the pot and gently reheat. Serve garnished with the chopped cilantro and a dollop of Tomato Mint Chutney.
• If you're in the mood for a heartier meal, skip the blender and just eat the dahl atop brown basmati rice, topped with a dollop of chutney. Or, blend half of the dahl until smooth, then add the unblended dahl to your velvety mixture.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 days or in the freezer for 2 months.
• (per serving)
• Calories: 365
• Total Fat: 7g (4.1g saturated, 0.6g monounsaturated)
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 14g
• Sodium: 300mg
• We know what fresh spices can do for the flavor of a dish, but as it turns out, they can also have a powerful impact on cancer. Integrative oncologist Donald Abrams especially likes turmeric, and so do many of his colleagues. At the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in 2006, an entire morning was devoted to the cancer-fighting benefits of turmeric, specifically in regard to antitumor properties with colon cancer and possibly pancreatic cancer. Turmeric may also help with other chronic diseases. "Turmeric is a good spice," says Abrams. "We think it's one of the reasons that there's so little Alzheimer's disease in India and also less cancer than we'd expect in a nation of that size." A spice with a mind-body connection? Works for me.

RED LENTIL DAHL

Steps:

• Heat a glug of oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Fry the onion gently for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and red chilli and cook for a few minutes more.
• Whilst that is cooking, grind the cumin, coriander and mustard seeds lightly in a pestle and mortar. Then add to the pan, along with the turmeric and garam masala and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add the lentils along with the tomatoes, coconut milk and stock, then stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper and cook on a medium/low heat until thick - at least 15-20 minutes (stirring often so that it doesn't stick to the pan).Taste and add more chilli if desired.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice and the handfuls of spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt and then serve with your chosen accompaniment.