Dahl tadka
Comfort in one pot.
Watch the videoWhat I make when someone in the family is feeling poorly.
This is one of those perfect winter recipes that nourishes you on every level. Simple ingredients, warming spices and so much comfort.
Lentils, spices, aromatics and ghee. That's it. The kind of everyday food that supports you without trying too hard.
The recipe
Serves 4 · Metric, with cups in brackets- 200g (1 cup) split yellow mung lentilsor a mix of yellow mung and red lentils
- 830ml (3½ cups) water
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- A 2.5cm piece of ginger, gratedfrozen ginger is easiest to grate
- 1 head of garlic, crushed
- ¾ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp garam masala
Wash the lentils and soak them for at least a couple of hours, then drain.
Add the lentils, water and turmeric to a pressure cooker and cook for 15 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally. No pressure cooker? Simmer in a covered pan for 30 to 40 minutes until soft, topping up the water as needed.
Heat the ghee in a large saucepan. Add the cumin, mustard seeds and asafoetida, then turn the heat down and add the ginger and garlic. Cook gently so they don't burn.
Add the cooked lentils, stir and cook covered for a couple of minutes. Stir in the garam masala and cook for a couple more. Adjust the water and salt to taste.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon and chopped coriander if you like, and serve over brown rice.
My Nourish3 Method is simple: protein, healthy fat and fibre whenever you eat. Lentils give you plant protein and fibre, and ghee your healthy fat. For extra protein, top it with a spoon of Greek yoghurt, a boiled egg, some prawns or fish, or leftover chicken.
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