Dhal Makhani (Spicy Indian Red Lentils)

Creamy, authentic Indian dal made with red lentils and aromatic tadka.

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

1 hour

Servings

6 people

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250g) dried red lentils
• 5 cups (1.5l) water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 6 green cardamoms
• 4 bay leaves
• 6 cloves
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp garlic paste
• 2 tsp ginger paste
• 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 500g passata, 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tbsp chilli powder
• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 50g salted vegan butter
• 400g tin kidney beans
• 2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves, 1 tsp salt
• Fresh coriander (garnish)

Method

Step 1: Prep Lentils

Rinse the lentils and add to a large saucepan with the 5 cups of water. Bring to the boil then lower the heat to simmer. Remove any foam.

Step 2: Prep Spices

Measure the cumin seeds, cardamoms, cloves and cinnamon.

Step 3: Fry Cumin

Fry the cumin seeds in the oil on a low/medium heat, until they begin to brown.

Step 4: Aromatics

Add the bay leaves, cardamom and cloves. Fry for 2 mins or until the bay leaves turn brown.

Step 5: Ginger/Garlic

Add the garlic and ginger, fry for 1 min.

Step 6: Spice Mix

Add the turmeric and cayenne pepper to the cinnamon.

Step 7: Combine Spices

Stir the spice mixture into the roasted seeds and fry for 1 min.

Step 8: Add Tomato

Add the passata and tomato puree. Cook for 5 mins.

Step 9: Coriander Seeds

Toast the coriander seeds in a dry pan for 2 mins or until they begin to pop and turn brown.

Step 10: Grind

Grind the coriander seeds into a powder.

Step 11: Measure Additions

Measure the coriander, chilli and butter.

Step 12: Melt Butter

Add the spices and butter to the pan, stir until the butter has melted.

Step 13: Add Beans

Add the tin of kidney beans along with its water to the lentils.

Step 14: Combine

Add the cooked tomato mixture to the lentils.

Step 15: Prep Fenugreek

Measure the fenugreek leaves.

Step 16: Simmer

Add the fenugreek leaves and the salt to the lentils and leave to simmer for 30 mins.

Step 17: Serve

Add a coriander garnish and serve.

Alternatives

The coriander garnish is optional. This dish is quite spicy, so reduce the amount of chilli powder if you prefer a milder flavour.