Red Lentil Dahl with a Twist

This comforting red lentil dahl is a simple yet flavorful dish, enriched by the deep, savory taste of chicken fat and a unique hint of shoarma spices. It’s hearty, warming, and perfect for cozy evenings. Whether served as a main or alongside other dishes, this dahl is a fuss-free recipe that brings bold flavors to your table with minimal ingredients.

Cooking gear

Making Red Lentil Dahl with a Twist

Warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, this red lentil dahl combines the richness of chicken fat with the earthy warmth of turmeric and the unique kick of shoarma spices. A comforting dish that’s easy to make and even easier to love!

servings

Serves:

6 people

breadboard

Time to Prepare:

20 min

hour glass

Time to cook or cure:

40 min

Skill

Skill

Stewing

servings

Serves:

6 people

breadboard

Time to Prepare:

20 min

hour glass

Time to cook or cure:

30 min

Skill

Skills:

Stewing

Cooking gear

Ingredients & Tools

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp chicken fat
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 5 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 1 heaped tsp turmeric
  • 1  heaped tsp shoarma spices
  • 4 cups water
  • Salt, to taste
  • 100 ml cream (optional, for richness

Tools

  • Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Chef’s knife and cutting board
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Ladle for serving

Useful guidelines

Consistency: If the dahl thickens too much while cooking, add more water to reach your desired consistency.

Shoarma Spices: If you don’t have a pre-made blend, a mix of cumin, coriander, paprika, and a pinch of cinnamon works well.

Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken fat for ghee or olive oil.

Directions

Simply follow these steps in order to make the Dahl:

Prepare Ingredients

Finely chop the onions and mince the garlic. Rinse lentils (optional)

Heat the Chicken Fat

In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt the chicken fat over medium heat.

Add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown, about 8–10 minutes.

Add Garlic and Spices

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add turmeric and shoarma spices, stirring well to toast the spices for 30 seconds.

Add a small teaspoon of salt

Cook the Lentils

Add the rinsed red lentils to the pot, stirring to coat them in the aromatic base.

Pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season and Finish

Check the lentils for doneness; they should be soft and creamy.

Add salt to taste.

Stir in the cream if desired, for added richness.

Serve

Ladle the dahl into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs or a drizzle of cream if you like.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftover dahl in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Portion it into smaller containers for easy reheating.

Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the texture.

Enjoy this comforting and easy-to-make dish as part of a cozy meal!

Red Lentil Dahl with a Twist

Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Ingredient
  • 2 Ingredient
  • 3 Ingredient
  • 4 Ingredient

Directions

  • Directions Step
  • Directions Step
  • Directions Step
  • Directions Step

    YES!
    SIGN ME
    UP

    GREAT!
    You will be hearing from us

    Skill