Nourishing (Family Friendly) Dhal
Dalh is the ultimate healthy comfort food. It’s budget friendly and with zero ‘heat’ in this recipe, it can be enjoyed together by the whole family. Even young toddlers would benefit from the taste sensations Ayervedic Dhal has to offer. Make plenty because Dhal tastes even better the next day and it freezes well!
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems. It was developed thousands of years ago in India and means “The Science of Life. Ayurvedic recipes are designed not only to improve physical health but also the mind and spirit with anti-inflammatory and grounding ingredients.

Nourishing (Family Friendly) Dhal
Allergy Info
15mins
3hours
6
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
- 1½ cups dried red lentils
- Spices:
- 1 tbsp ground cumin seed
- 1 tbsp ground coriander seed
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ ground fennel seeds
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger root, grated
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 4 medium tomatoes, chopped (optional)
- ½ cauliflower, chopped small
- 1 medium sweet potato, chopped small
- ½ bunch coriander, roots and leaves chopped separately
- 1 litre water, vegetable stock or chicken bone broth
- 1 teaspoon salt and fresh pepper
Optional extras: 1 tsp chilli powder / flakes (for heat). Coconut cream for a thicker and creamier texture.
Instructions
- Rinse dried lentils in a sieve and then soak in water ideally for a couple of hours. Then drain before using. Skip this step if you don’t have time.
- Warm up some oil into a large pot. Add onion, garlic and ginger and stir until soft.
- Add dry spices and seasoning and heat until mixed and aromatic (around a minute).
- While that’s cooking chop the carrot and celery and add to the pot. Give it a quick mix through.
- Stir in drained lentils, stock, coriander stems and remaining vegetables and give it a stir. Bring to a gentle boil
- reduce heat on the lowest setting and cook for 2 – 4 hours. The longer the tastier
- If your children don’t like soft lumps of vegetables use a hand blender to smooth out the consistency like I have in the photo.
- To serve, sprinkle fresh coriander over the top and ladle some steaming Dahl over spinach leaves for a light meal in a bowl. Add rice or quinoa for something heartier.
Recipe Notes
Allergy Information: Dairy Free, Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Egg Free, Tree Nut Free, Soy Free. Vegetarian, Vegan.

7 Comments
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What are the quantities for the ingredients? 🙂
Hi Nicole, the quantities are in the recipe. Let me know if I’m not seeing something. Thanks. Sharon xx
Hi Sharon, can i know how many grams needed for dried red lentils? 1.5 cups = how many grams… Australian cups versus US cups metric is bit tricky…. sorry for the trouble..
Hi Evelyn. It’s about 125g. You don’t need to be exact. Let me know how you go. Enjoy. xx
Thank you so much Sharon… 🙂
Hi Sharon, it is DELICIOUS ! thank you sooo much for sharing. That is a very generous portion too that comes our 😉 I gave a pinch of extra salt and a squeeze of lemon in the end too. thanks again :))) XX
So glad you enjoyed it Anna. Thank you for the feedback and enjoy the leftovers! Sharon xx