Warm Coconut and Spinach Dhal

As my family and anyone that knows me well, will tell you, I love lentils. The green puy lentils are my favourite, but the red lentils in a curry, are good too! Hence this curry. Not to mention, how good they are for you; which is partly why I started eating them (not mentioning how tasty they were when I first tried them, the green lentils was served with confit duck; So of course it was delicious).

   This curry is very creamy, so if you prefer a lighter curry, then swap half of the coconut milk with vegetable or chicken stock. If you want it a bit spicier, feel free to add finely diced fresh red or green chili, which I would do if my youngest sister wasn't eating it(shes doesn't like extremely spicy foods, and knowing me i would make it too spicy for her!).

  

Serve with rice or naan bread if you like them. I served it with paratha bread, which my mum buys from a specialist Indian food shop, but feel free to make your own. They are incredibly buttery and moreish , and sorry but that after naan bread will never be quite as good unless is homemade(but then all bread is great homemade).

Ingredients

250g red lentils 

1 onion

1 garlic clove

20g fresh ginger

4 tbsp oil

1 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp garam masala

1 tsp turmeric

500g fresh spinach

400 ml coconut milk

200 ml water

1/2 lemon, juice

1. Cook the lentils for about 8 mins, drain

2. Meanwhile finely chop the onion and garlic. Peel and grate the ginger.

3. Sweat the onion until soft and add in the garlic, ginger and spices.cook for 1 min

4. Add the spinach, and cook for 2-3 mins

5. Add the coconut milk and water

6. Pop in the lentils, mix in and cook for 5 mins or until hot

7. Season and mix in lemon juice to taste.

8. Serve