Dara's Creamy Coconut Dal
I get multitudes of requests for the recipe for this grounding and delicious dal recipe every time I serve it up, plus it's always a favorite when I teach it in classes. It is grounding, creamy, and has lots of flavor from digestive-enhancing spices, though isn’t very spicy. It's simple, yet incredibly satisfying. The best part about it is that it can absorb a LOT of vegetables while still remaining soupy, so don’t be shy about adding a lot!
Dara's delicious Dal
1 ½ cups red lentils, soaked for 1 to 2 hours if possible
a big spoonful of coconut oil or ghee
1 yellow onion, chopped
a few cloves of garlic, put through a press or chopped
1 to 2 green chiles, deseeded and chopped finely
about 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and chopped finely
a few whole red chiles or crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
1 or 2 bay leaves
5 to 10 cardamom pods
1 teaspoon turmeric
about 3 cups water
1 can coconut milk
1- 2 cups of cubed sweet potatoes, winter squash or carrots
1 bunch chopped greens such as kale or chard, or 4-5 cups spinach leaves
sea salt
1 to 2 teaspoons garam masala
chopped cilantro leaves and/or stems, to taste, and to garnish
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat, and add the onions. Sauté until onions are colored a little, then stir in the garlic, chiles, ginger, and bay leaves. Sauté for another minute or two, then stir in the cardamom and turmeric, and add the water, coconut milk, the lentils, and some salt. Add the veggies now too, letting them sit on top of the other ingredients for now, and cover the pot with a lid. After five minutes, lift the lid, and stir everything together. Continue to simmer the mixture until the lentils are tender; you'll have to fish one out and taste one to find out.
When the lentils and everything else is tender too, give the mixture a really good stir for a few minutes. This will smooth out the lentils and make the soup extra creamy. You can thin it with a bit more water if you desire. Salt to taste, and lastly add the garam masala. Simmer another few minutes, then stir in some cilantro. When you ladle it into bowls, top each one with a bit more cilantro on top. Enjoy!