She has also had 16 wellness books published by major publishers including the bestselling Easy GI Diet, The Macro Method, Quit Alcohol (For a Month) and Eat 5. Her books have sold over one million copies.
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Looking for a wholesome and nutritious meal that’s packed with flavor? This healthy lentil dahl is the answer! It’s a dish that’s healthy but also easier to make than you might think. With a 30-minute cooking time, it could be on the table faster than the average takeaway – and it’s a lot better for you.
Even though it’s based around lentils – a very healthy food (and one of the 13 staples that should be in every healthy cupboard), dahl isn’t always necessarily healthy as it can use ghee, which is high in saturated fat. But, you can make it without it – as we do here.
This recipe contains a whopping nine plant points toward your 30 plant foods a week total and replaces ghee with healthy olive oil.
You can serve it as a side dish or combine it with rice as a plant-based main course. Remember, if you’re sensitive to lentils, dishes containing high amounts can trigger a reaction, so reduce the portion size.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 cup (200g) red lentils, rinsed. You can also mix red and green lentils.
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Start by sauteeing: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, sautéing until the onion goes clear. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Now add the Spices: Stir in the curry powder, cumin, and turmeric, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook Lentils: Add the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Season: Stir in salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the dahl with an handheld blender.
- Serve: Ladle the dahl into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro. Enjoy it with rice, naan, or on its own!
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 bowls
- Calories: 180kcal
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
If you love lentils, you might also want to look at our ideas for lentil salads. Or, find the recipe for a 300-calorie warming lentil soup – that’s been devised by a top chef here.