One-pan coconut dhal

• red lentils↗300g g
• sunflower oil↗2 tbsp tbsp

  plus extra for drizzling

• onions↗2

  finely sliced

• garlic cloves↗4

  crushed or finely chopped

• ginger↗thumb-sized piece of

  finely chopped

• curry leaves↗5

  (optional)

• mustard seeds1 tsp tsp
• cumin seeds↗1 tsp tsp
• coriander powder↗1 tsp tsp
• turmeric↗1 tsp tsp
• red chilli↗1 dried

  left whole

• tomato purée↗1 tbsp tbsp
• coconut milk↗400g can g
• coriander leaves↗

  sliced ginger and sliced green chilli, to serve

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear, then drain. Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan and cook the onions over a low heat for 10 mins until starting to brown, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 30 seconds. Scatter in the curry leaves, if using, and all the spices and cook for a few minutes more, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for a minute longer.

2. 2

   Stir in the lentils, ensuring they’re well coated in the spices, then pour over the coconut milk and 850ml water. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, then simmer for about 30 mins until the lentils are soft and soupy. Scoop out the whole chilli and discard, then season generously with salt. The dhal can now be left to cool, then frozen in portions, or as one batch in a large plastic container. Defrost completely before reheating in a pan over a low heat, adding more water to loosen if needed.

3. 3

   Serve with a sprinkling of the coriander, sliced ginger and chilli, and drizzle with a bit more oil.