Best Sweet Potato Coconut And Spinach Curry With Tarka Dhal Recipes

SPINACH, SWEET POTATO & LENTIL DHAL

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wide-based pan with a tight-fitting lid.
• Add 1 finely chopped red onion and cook over a low heat for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened.
• Add 1 crushed garlic clove, a finely chopped thumb-sized piece of ginger and 1 finely chopped red chilli, cook for 1 min, then add 1½ tsp ground turmeric and 1½ tsp ground cumin and cook for 1 min more.
• Turn up the heat to medium, add 2 sweet potatoes, cut into even chunks, and stir everything together so the potato is coated in the spice mixture.
• Tip in 250g red split lentils, 600ml vegetable stock and some seasoning.
• Bring the liquid to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and cook for 20 mins until the lentils are tender and the potato is just holding its shape.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning, then gently stir in the 80g spinach. Once wilted, top with the 4 diagonally sliced spring onions and ½ small pack torn basil leaves to serve.
• Alternatively, allow to cool completely, then divide between airtight containers and store in the fridge for a healthy lunchbox.

SWEET POTATO, COCONUT, AND SPINACH CURRY WITH TARKA DHAL

Steps:

• Get the curry going first. In a wide, heavy-based pan, fry the onion in the oil with a lid on to soften for about 5 minutes. Stir in the sweet potato chunks, curry powder, and turmeric, and fast-fry with the lid off until it begins to stick to the bottom.
• In two batches, stir in the spinach, adding the ground almonds and chilli. When all the spinach is in the pot and beginning to collapse, pour in the coconut milk, add some salt, stir well and put the lid back on.
• Keep it at an active simmer, stirring from time to time, for about 20 minutes until the spuds are cooked. Take the lid off and let the curry reduce down to a thicker consistency (another 10 minutes or so).
• For the dhal, gently fry the garlic and all the seeds (don't forget the cardamom) in the oil until they are a deep golden brown. Tip in the split peas and give them a good roll around in the garlicky oil then pour in 1l of water and turn the heat up.
• Slowly bring it to a gently boil over around 10 minutes then skim, cover and leave to simmer for 45 minutes-1 hour until the peas are well-cooked. Taste for seasoning - dried pulses take a lot of salt to reach their flavour zenith.
• Finish the curry by stirring in the lime juice and adjusting the seasoning. Serve with the dhal on the side and all the usual suspects (basmati rice, chutney, and yoghurt).

SWEET POTATO AND SPINACH CURRY

Steps:

• Cook the sweet potato in boiling water for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.
• Heat the oil and fry the onion, garlic and turmeric over a gentle heat for 3 minutes, add the chilie and paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the sweet potato and season with salt if desired. Continue to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Stir in spinach, cover the pan and simmer for 2 - 3 mins until the spinach has wilted and the curry is hot throughout.

ONE-PAN COCONUT DHAL

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear, then drain. Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan and cook the onions over a low heat for 10 mins until starting to brown, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 30 seconds. Scatter in the curry leaves, if using, and all the spices and cook for a few minutes more, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for a minute longer.
• Stir in the lentils, ensuring they're well coated in the spices, then pour over the coconut milk and 850ml water. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, then simmer for about 30 mins until the lentils are soft and soupy. Scoop out the whole chilli and discard, then season generously with salt. The dhal can now be left to cool, then frozen in portions, or as one batch in a large plastic container. Defrost completely before reheating in a pan over a low heat, adding more water to loosen if needed.
• Serve with a sprinkling of the coriander, sliced ginger and chilli, and drizzle with a bit more oil.

INDIAN DAHL WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Rinse lentils and soak for 20 minutes.
• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and stir in salt, lentils, turmeric and chili powder. Cover and return to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook 5 minutes, or until lentils are soft. Add more water if necessary.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and saute onions with cumin and mustard seeds, stirring often. Cook until onions are transparent, and then combine with lentils. Stir in garam masala and coconut milk and cook until heated through.

SWEET POTATO & COCONUT CURRY

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan and add the onion. Fry gently for 10 mins until soft then add the garlic and grate the ginger straight into the pan. Stir in the paprika and the cayenne and cook for another minute then tip into the slow cooker.
• Return the pan to the heat and add another 1 tbsp oil along with the chilli, red pepper and shredded cabbage. Cook for 4-5 mins then tip into the slow cooker.
• Use the remaining oil to fry the sweet potatoes, you may have to do this in 2 or 3 batches depending on the size of your pan. Cook the sweet potatoes for around 5 mins or just until they start to pick up some colour at the edges then put them in the slow cooker too.
• Pour the passata and the coconut milk over the sweet potatoes, stir to mix everything together and cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook for 6-8hrs or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
• Stir the peanut butter through the curry, season well with salt and pepper and serve with couscous and chopped coriander scattered over the top.