Recipes

Lentil & Chickpea Dal

Here’s how to make it…

Ingredients:

  • 400ml coconut milk
  • 200ml vegetable stock
  • 400g chickpeas
  • 200g dried red lentils
  • 1 brown onion
  • A thumb of ginger
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
  • 1 tbsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp dried fenugreek
  • A pinch of sea salt & black pepper

Method:

  • Begin by preparing the onion. Peel and finely chop the onion
  • Add the onion to a large pan along with the coconut oil and mustard seeds
  • Saute on a low heat for around 5 minutes
  • Finely chop or grate the ginger and garlic. Add the ginger and garlic to the pan along with the spices and fenugreek
  • Stir to combine then saute for a further 5 minutes
  • Add the chickpeas, lentils, coconut milk and vegetable stock to the pan. Stir to combine then simmer on a medium heat until the lentils are soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed
  • Season to taste then serve

This recipe serves 4.

Recipes

Lentil Empanadas

Here’s how to make them…

For the empanadas:

  • 300g puff pastry
  • 250g green lentils
  • 1 brown onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram
  • A drizzle of rapeseed oil
  • A pinch of sea salt & black pepper

For the guacamole dip:

  • 2 avocados
  • 1 tomato
  • 1 brown onion
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • A handful of coriander
  • A squeeze of lime juice
  • A pinch of sea salt & black pepper

Method:

  • Begin by preparing the filling. Peel and finely chop the onion. Add the onion to a large pan along with a drizzle of rapeseed oil. Saute on a low heat for around 5 minutes
  • Finely chop or grate the garlic. Add the garlic to the pan along with the spices and herbs
  • Stir to combine then saute for 5 minutes
  • Add the lentils to the pan. Stir to combine then saute for a further 5 minutes
  • Season to taste then set to one side
  • While the filling cools, prepare the pastry. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (gas mark 6). Line a large tray with baking paper and lay the puff pastry on top
  • Using a knife and a saucer or a side plate, cut the pastry in to 6 circles. Remove any excess pastry
  • Add a spoonful of the filling to the centre of each circle. Leave space between the filling and the edge of the pastry
  • Fold each circle in half. Using a fork, lightly press the edges to seal
  • Brush the top of each empanada with a little rapeseed oil
  • Put the tray in the pre-heated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown
  • While the empanadas bake, prepare the dip. Remove the skins and the stones from the avocados. Add the flesh to a food processor
  • Peel and finely chop the onion. Add the onion to the food processor
  • Cut the tomato in to quarters and add it to the food processor along with the garlic powder, chilli flakes, coriander and lime juice. Process until a smooth mixture is formed
  • Season to taste then serve alongside the empanadas

This recipe serves 2.