Name: Coconut Dahl with Roasted Eggplant
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: Coconut oil or olive oil: 1 tbsp; Yellow onion: 1 medium yellow onion diced; Turmeric powder: 2 tsp; Curry powder : 2 tsp; Cumin powder: 1 tsp; Garlic : 3 cloves, finely chopped; Ginger :1 tbsp grated fresh ginger; Red lentils: 1 ½ cups dry lentils; Coconut milk : 1 can of 400ml; Veggie stock: 2 ½ cups (can be substitute with water); Maple syrup : 1 tsp; 1 small eggplant, cut into 1 inch cubes; 3 tbsp of olive oil

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This coconut dahl with roasted eggplant is the ultimate comfort food. It’s creamy, flavorful and incredibly simple to make. A twist on the traditional dahl recipe with creamy coconut milk and roasted eggplant that make a crunchy topping.

Why we love this recipe so much:

Easy dinner
Flavourful (because of the spices!)
Vegan
Gluten-free

What’s a Dahl/Dal?

Traditional Indian curry made with dried split peas or lentils that break down when cooked. Dahl is one of my favorite Indian dishes, because it’s so easy to make and we just cook everything in one big pot.

In this recipe, we use red lentils for its tenderness. We also add coconut milk to balance the spices (curry, curcuma, cumin, fresh ginger & garlic). To add a special something, we top it with grilled eggplant cubes to add more texture and veggies to the dish.

Red Lentils, What You Need to Know

No soaking: we just need to rinse red lentils with cold water before making this recipe. There’s no need to soak them overnight.
Less cooking time: compared to other types of lentils, red lentils take less time to cook.
Tender lentils: if it’s your first time cooking red lentils, you’ll notice that they disintegrate into a mush when cooked. A creamy texture is exactly what we’re looking for in this recipe.

Roasted eggplant & creamy coconut milk

How to roast eggplant?
First, remove the edges of the eggplant with a knife. Cut the eggplant lengthwise into 4 slices. Dice them into cubes (1 inch). Place the eggplant cubes onto a baking pan over parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season well. Mix with your hands and spread evenly on the pan. Cook at 425F for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through.

Creamy coconut milk: please choose full fat coconut milk for its creaminess.

How to Serve It?

There are many ways you can enjoy this recipe. Here are a few options:

On its own (because it’s just too good!).
With naan bread as a side.
Serve it over rice (brown rice or basmati rice).
Serve it over quinoa or cauliflower rice.
Garnish with fresh herbs (coriander or basil).

Tips to Perfect This Recipe:

Make sure you rinse the lentils well. Use a strainer and rinse until the water runs clear.
Keep an eye on the eggplant while it cooks. The oven temperature may differ from one oven to another.
Don’t overcook the dahl. This dish is ready in no time, it will take you 15 minutes to cook.
Make sure you season well to balance flavors.

Other Comfort Food Recipes to Try: