This authentic vegetarian dhansak recipe is a flavorful and healthy plant-based meal that’s easy to make at home. It combines lentils, vegetables, and spices for a hearty, delicious dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Veggie combination (carrots/potatoes/sweet potatoes/butternut squash/spinach/swiss chard/kale etc)
Directions:
Step One: Rinse the lentils in cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
Step Two: In a large pot over medium heat with oil , saute onions until golden brown. Add garlic & ginger paste cooking for an additional minute or so
Step Three: Add cumin seeds to the pan followed by all other dried spices including salt & pepper.
Step Four: Throw in combination of bite-sized veggies; cook stirring frequently till they start turning soft (Sautéing this mixture on high flame will help retain texture)
Step Five: Pour vegetable stock into the pot along with the red lentils then bring everything up to boil before simmering for about twenty minutes or until both veggies and dal are fully cooked through
Optional Step Six: For creamy consistency add roasted cashew nuts along with some almond milk.
Cooking Time and Temperature Guidelines:
Cook time: Approximately 30 minutes
Temperature: Medium Heat
My Pro-tips:
- Adjust spice level as per your preference.
- Soaking lentils for 20 -25 minutes prior to cooking can reduce cook time.
- Blend in pre-soaked dates, chunks of pumpkin or sweet potato for a natural and healthy sweetener
Seasoning options:
- Add a sprinkle of coriander leaves on top
- Squeeze lime / lemon juice to add zest
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe:
- Large pot
- Chopping board + Chef knife
To sum up:
This vegetarian dhansak recipe is a delicious and flavorsome plant-based meal that’s easy to make at home with simple ingredients. Full of lentils, vegetables, spices, it’s the perfect vegan-friendly curry night option!
FAQs
Sure, here are three popular FAQs with answers for Authentic Vegetarian Dhansak Recipe:
Q1. What is dhansak, and what makes it unique?
A1. Dhansak is a traditional Parsi dish that originated in India and combines elements of Persian and Indian cuisine. It typically includes lentils, vegetables, spices, and meat (chicken or lamb). However, this version is a vegetarian variation that excludes the meat component. What makes dhansak unique is its use of lentils as both a protein source and flavor enhancer for the vegetable curry base.
Q2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A2. Yes! This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. You can cook the lentil dhal up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. The vegetables can also be prepped ahead of time by washing and chopping them beforehand so that they’re ready to go when you start cooking.
Q3. Can I modify this recipe to suit my dietary restrictions?
A3. Absolutely! This recipe is already vegetarian-friendly but can easily be modified further depending on your dietary needs/preferences:
– To make it vegan/ dairy-free: skip adding ghee or substitute it with coconut oil.
– For gluten-free options: If you are using canned chickpeas instead of dried ones then check if there’s any mix-in other than salt like wheat flour etc., Similarly you should check spices too which might have some fillers that include gluten.
If you want more spice heat then add chili flakes at your discretion
