Dal Makhani With Brown Lentils & Kidney Beans

A creamy Indian curry made with brown lentils cooked in a rich tomato and coconut milk gravy.

Dal Makhani With Brown Lentils & Kidney Beans

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of vegetable stock
  • 1 cup dry brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1″ ginger, chopped
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garam masala (or other spice-blends)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
  • 200g tomato pulp (or chopped tomatoes)
  • ⅓ cup fresh coriander, chopped
  • 2 tbsp butter (optional)
  • ½ cup cooked kidney beans
  • ⅔ can of coconut milk

Method

  • Add the lentils to a heavy pot along with the stock and the bay leaf. Put the lid on cook on medium-high until mushy, around 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, using a mortar and pestle, add the chopped garlic and ginger with half a teaspoon of salt and pound into a smooth paste.
  • Once the lentils are cooked, add the paste, tomato puree, spices, sugar, and most of the chopped coriander reserving just a little for garnish later. If you are using butter add that too.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add some more water if needed.
  • Add the kidney beans add simmer for another 10 minutes. Most of the liquid should be gone at this stage.
  • Adjust seasoning then add 1/2 a can of coconut milk and heat through.
  • Add to serving bowls, garnish with remaining chopped coriander and a drizzle of coconut milk. Serve with Indian breads and some lemon wedges.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of vegetable stock
  • 1 cup dry brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1″ ginger, chopped
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garam masala (or other spice-blends)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
  • 200g tomato pulp (or chopped tomatoes)
  • ⅓ cup fresh coriander, chopped
  • 2 tbsp butter (optional)
  • ½ cup cooked kidney beans
  • ⅔ can of coconut milk

Method

  • Add the lentils to a heavy pot along with the stock and the bay leaf. Put the lid on cook on medium-high until mushy, around 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, using a mortar and pestle, add the chopped garlic and ginger with half a teaspoon of salt and pound into a smooth paste.
  • Once the lentils are cooked, add the paste, tomato puree, spices, sugar, and most of the chopped coriander reserving just a little for garnish later. If you are using butter add that too.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add some more water if needed.
  • Add the kidney beans add simmer for another 10 minutes. Most of the liquid should be gone at this stage.
  • Adjust seasoning then add 1/2 a can of coconut milk and heat through.
  • Add to serving bowls, garnish with remaining chopped coriander and a drizzle of coconut milk. Serve with Indian breads and some lemon wedges.