Red split lentils cooked in a pan

Red split lentils cooked in a pan

Indian doesn’t have to mean heavy sauces and an extra hour at the gym. Here’s the healthy, satisfying and just as tasty alternative to your Friday night curry

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Ready in 1 hour
Vegetarian

Vegetarian, Low-fat, Super healthy, Dairy-free

Method

  1. Put the mung beans and lentils in a large saucepan and 3/4 fill with boiling water. Season and bring to the boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Using a large spoon, skim any scum off the surface.
  2. Add the turmeric and stir well. Partly cover and simmer for about 30 minutes until tender, adding more boiling water if it starts to become too dry - it should be even-textured.
  3. Heat 2 tsp oil in a frying pan and add the onion. After about a minute, add the garlic. When lightly golden add the tomato, ginger and chilli. Fry until it is a shiny, dry paste. Pour into the pan with the dhal and mix well. Stir in the garam masala. Top with coriander and red chillies.

Per serving

219 kcalories, protein 15.8g, carbohydrate 35g, fat 2.7 g, saturated fat 0.2g, fibre 3.1g, salt 0.6 g

Recipe from olive magazine, February 2006.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • 26 February 2008

    SREHAN rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    easy to make - instead of weighing the 2 dhals - I used 1/2 mug of each, I used hand chopped tomatoes - all worked well - we happily ate it 2 days running !

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  • 17 April 2008

    ljwarrington rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    simply FANTASTIC!! made it with a curry for around 8 guests - everyone loved it. used dried crushed chilli flakes - but was wonderful!

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  • 24 April 2008

    sally rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Good but have tried tastier versions of this.

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  • 09 May 2008

    groovyglass commented on this recipe

    just made this recipe, didn't use oil,i 'fried' the onions a spray oil, lovely and tasty and have made enough to freeze and have later!!!!

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  • 31 August 2008

    Natalie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Totally yummy! Mine turned out the colour of pond-water, instead of the beautiful orange shade in the picture, but that didn't spoil the taste at all.

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  • 27 October 2008

    HughesnHutch rated this recipe

    3 stars

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  • 07 January 2009

    vicki rated and commented on this recipe

    1 stars

    Mine may have gone wrong as it tasted Yuk. Maybe too much water and too little flavour

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  • 13 January 2009

    Kate123 rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    As with many spiced dishes, I found that this was actually better the following day. Easy to make and a pretty little side dish, my husband and I thought this was great and so much better for us than what you get from the takeaway!

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  • 15 April 2009

    Mick rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • 15 April 2009

    Mick commented on this recipe

    Enjoyed this dish. Easy to make and tastes good. Will finish it off tomorrow when I reckon it will taste even better.

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  • 01 September 2009

    Jodie & Marks lovely nosh rated and commented on this recipe

    2 stars

    I was looking forward to this but it was disappointingly average. A bit bland and not something I would make again.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Ready in 1 hour
Vegetarian

Vegetarian, Low-fat, Super healthy, Dairy-free

Ingredients

  • 125g moong dhal (whole mung beans), washed
  • 125g masoor dhal (red split lentils), washed
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • oil for frying
  • ½ onion , chopped very finely
  • 1 garlic clove , chopped very finely
  • 1 whole plum tomato from a tin, plus 1 tbsp of juice, whizzed in a blender
  • 1 tsp grated root ginger
  • 1 green chilli , finely chopped
  • ½ tsp garam masala
  • a handful of coriander , chopped very finely
  • 2 red chillies
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Per serving

219 kcalories, protein 15.8g, carbohydrate 35g, fat 2.7 g, saturated fat 0.2g, fibre 3.1g, salt 0.6 g

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