• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Recipe Box
    • Breakfast
    • Mains
    • Sides + Apps
    • Salads
    • Sweets
  • Work With Me

Earth & Oven

Big Flavour. Wholesome Eats. Simple Recipes.

  • About
  • Recipe Box
    • Breakfast
    • Mains
    • Sides + Apps
    • Salads
    • Sweets
  • Work With Me
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

December 30, 2021 Mains

Cozy Lentil & Potato Dal

Dal is a quintessentially creamy and comforting Indian curry that celebrates the mighty lentil. Toasted Indian spices, tomatoes and coconut milk simmer into a beautiful golden stew that will warm your soul and lift your spirits. My beloved Indian lentil dal is all about the toppings. Chili-garlic oil, tangy cucumber raita, and fresh herbs are a must. Most importantly, in my house, garlic naan should be fried in ghee until golden brown and generously seasoned with salt. 

Made with a handful of humble ingredients, dal the perfect meal to have in your back pocket when both groceries and inspiration is low. 

This take on dal is short of the effort and long on flavour.  A few final additions (ghee and fish sauce) stirred in at the end aren’t traditional, but a fun way to crank up the sumptuousness. 

 

Cozy Potato Dal

Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups red lentils uncooked
  • 1 395 ml can coconut milk full fat
  • 1 kg baby potatoes skins on
  • 1 yellow onion, small diced
  • 1 tomato, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp curry powder, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala

Optional (to finish)

  • 1 tbsp fish sauce/tamari (for extra umami and depth)
  • 1 tbsp ghee/butter (for extra richness)

Optional (toppings)

  • fresh cilantro
  • raita/yogurt
  • chili-garlic oil
  • toasted naan bread
  • basmati rice

Instructions
 

Start the Dal

  • In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook on medium-low for 6-8, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly golden.
  • Add tomato, tomato paste, ginger, garlic, and spices. Cook for 3-4 min, stirring well to toast spices.
  • Stir in water, lentils and coconut milk. Bring to a boil over high heat. Use a spatula to scrape off any stuck-on bits on the bottom of the pot. Season with 2 tsp salt (or more to taste) and plenty of cracked pepper.
  • Cover and simmer on medium low for 10-12 min, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Add a 1/4 cup or more of water if it looks too thick.

Cook Potatoes

  • Meanwhile, in a medium pot, add potatoes and cover with 1-inch of warm water. Season with 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 14-16 min, until very tender. Drain and set aside.

Finish the Dal

  • When the dal has thickened and the lentils are tender, stir potatoes into dal. For smaller chunks of potatoes, use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently break up the potatoes into the curry.
  • Stir in fish sauce* and ghee** (if using) Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
  • Serve dal with any or all of the suggested toppings. Dal will keep well, refrigerated for 5 days, or frozen up to 3 months.

Notes

*Fish Sauce is my favourite final addition to dal, it adds a depth of flavour and umami that makes it ridiculously good. Tamari works here too, just start slow with a small dash and taste as you go. 
 
**Ghee or butter at the finish adds a final hit of richness to the dal. Optional but great. 

Photography by Jocelynne Flor.

Recipe By Meredith Youngson | Earth & Oven 

Categories: Mains

About Meredith | Earth & Oven

Trained as a nutritionist and recipe developer, I'm on a mission to make healthy eating tastier, simpler, and more fun...more about E & O

Previous Post: « Autumn Honeycrisp Sangria
Next Post: Hot Honey Cauliflower “Wings” with Hemp Seed Ranch »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

BRING HEALTHY + DELICIOUS TO YOU

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and never miss a recipe

Footer

Never Miss a Beet

Subscribe to get recipes and updates

All About Recipes – Follow Us

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Condition

Copyright© 2023 ยท Earth and Oven | All Rights Reserved