🥘Heartwarming Red Dal | Vegan, Budget Friendly Dinner!

This heartwarming Red Dal recipe has quickly become one of my dinner staples and I am sure it will become one of yours as well! :) It is made with simple, budget friendly ingredients, is super healthy and comes together in about 30 minutes! Red Dal | 4 servings Ingredients -1 yellow onion diced -1 chili pepper diced (Serrano ex.) (deseed for less spice) -1/2 inch grated ginger -4 cloves of garlic -1 tsp cumin powder -1 tsp coriander powder -1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper -1/2 tsp ground turmeric -1/4-1/2 tsp garam masala -1 tsp salt -1 cup red lentils -1 can of diced tomatoes (blended) -1 1/2 cups water or veg broth -1 can of coconut milk (lite for less fat) -1 cup fresh chopped kale (optional) -1/2 lemon juiced Preparation Directions 1. Heat a large pot over medium heat (or instant pot on sauté medium setting) 2. Finely dice the onion and the chili pepper, set aside 3. Finely grate/ mince the garlic and the ginger, set aside 4. Measure out all of the spices/seasonings in a small bowl, set aside 5. Blend the can of diced tomatoes, set aside Cooking Directions 1. Add the onion to the pot and sauté for about 5-7 mins, adding water 1 tbsp at a time as needed to deglaze the pan 2. Once the onions are browned and cooked down nicely, add in the diced chili, garlic and ginger 3. Stir for 1-2 mins then add in the dry spices and seasonings and continue to stir for another 1-2 mins 4. Once spices and onion mixture is nice and fragrant, add in the blended tomatoes, stir well 5. If cooking on the stove, add in the water, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cover with a lid for about 30 minutes or until lentils are very soft. (if in instant pot, cook on a low setting for 7 minutes, manual release after) 6. While cooking, prepare the chopped kale and the cucumber tomato salad (see for that recipe below) 7. Once lentils are cooked, stir in the can of coconut milk and the chopped kale, stir and simmer for another 2-3 mins 8. Then turn of the heat and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon 9. Serve with a drizzle of vegan yogurt, chopped cilantro, the cucumber tomato salad and rice or naan bread (or both)! Cucumber Tomato Salad | 4-6 servings -1 large English cucumber diced small -2 Roma tomatoes diced small -1/2 red onion diced small -Juice of 1 lemon or 1 lime -1/4 tsp salt -1/4 tsp garam masala Directions 1. Mix everything together in a large bowl, allow to sit for about 10-15 mins before serving