
Creamy Coconut Chana Dal
1 hr
Meal
Servings
Total
1 hrPrep
10 minCook
50 minFree from
Ingredients
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1 Tbsp (15 mL)vegetable oil
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2yellow onions, finely chopped
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4cloves garlic, minced
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1 Tbsp (6 g)fresh ginger, minced
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1red hot chili, minced
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1 Tbsp (6 g)curry powder
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2 tsp (6 g)ground turmeric
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2 cups (480 mL)boiling water
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1½ cups (270 g)dry chana dal, soaked overnight*
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1vegetable bouillon cube
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1½ cups (278 g)uncooked brown rice, soaked overnight
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1⅔ cups (399 mL)canned full-fat coconut milk
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1red bell pepper, chopped
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1yellow bell pepper, chopped
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1 cup (180 g)cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Optional toppings
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chili flakes
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fresh cilantro
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lemon slices
Directions
- Add oil to a large pot on high heat. When hot, add the onion and cook until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Add splashes of water as needed to deglaze the pot.
- Then add the garlic, ginger, and chili pepper and sauté for 2 - 3 minutes more.
- Drop the heat to medium, and add the curry powder, turmeric, and garam masala, and stir continuously for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Add the boiling water, drained chana dal, and bouillon cube. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer with the lid partially covered. Let cook for 30 - 40 minutes until the chana dal is soft and cooked through, stirring every 10 minutes to avoid burning. If the dal is looking dry and is not yet cooked, add a splash of water as needed.
- In the meantime, add the soaked and drained rice to a medium pot and cover with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, partially covered with a lid and cook until rice is fluffy.
- Taste test the dal. When fully cooked through, add the coconut milk, and bell peppers, and cook for 10 minutes more with the lid uncovered.
- Then add the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Serve the dal with rice, and top with chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Notes
- * Also known as split chickpeas, chana dal is a larger-sized legume, so it needs to be soaked overnight before cooking (unless you're using a pressure cooker). If you want to skip the soaking step, feel free to use yellow or red lentils. In that case, decrease the cooking time from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.
- Variations: add any other vegetables you like, such as zucchini, cauliflower, potato, sweet potato or mushrooms. This is a very versatile recipe!
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Plate method
The Plate Method is a visual tool that helps us ensure our dietary needs are on track. Touch the image below to see how this recipe measures up.
Grains 31%
• uncooked brown rice
Proteins 33%
• dry chana dal
Fruits & Veggies 36%
• yellow onion
• clove garlic
• fresh ginger
• red hot chili
• red bell pepper
• yellow bell pepper
• cherry tomatoes
Calcium
No significant sources of calciumFat
• vegetable oil
• canned full-fat coconut milk
Nutrition info
We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.
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