Recipe

A Hearty Recipe to Help You Forget About the Cold Winter

By Isabel Hebner at University of Pennsylvania

It’s that time of year again...school’s out (for now) and the sun sets just a tad too early. The air is brisk and the windy is gusty. All you want to do is cuddle up on the couch with a warm blanket and a bowl of something delicious. Say no more- this vegan red lentil dahl recipe is quick, warm, and oh so delicious. Don't be surprised if you catch yourself going back for thirds and fourths. With anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, this red lentil dahl will also keep you healthy through cold and flu season. Keeping with the health trend, red lentils are not only high in iron, but also high in protein, leaving you feeling full and satisfied all night long. To top it all off, this red lentil dahl is a one pot recipe, making it not only healthy, but easy to make! 

Red lentil and sweet potato dahl

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Servings: 5
Ingredients
  • 2 large sweet potatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil/coconut oil/oil choice
  • 2 cups veggie broth
  • 1 can full fat coconut milk
  • 1.5 cups red lentils
  • 1 bag/16 oz baby spinach
  • 2 Teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 inch knob ginger
  • Cayenne to taste
  • Pepper
  • Salt to taste

Isabel Hebner

Step 1

Wash and cube the sweet potatoes into ¼ inch cubes,
Peel and chop the ginger into pieces as small as possible

Isabel Hebner

Step 2

Pour oil into pot, turn on high, and add sweet potatoes and ginger

Isabel Hebner

Step 3

Sauté until sweet potatoes are fork tender

Step 4

Lower heat to medium and add curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and black pepper* to taste
*pro tip- adding freshly ground black pepper with turmeric helps with the absorption of curcumin- the ingredient in turmeric that has anti-inflammatory benefits

Isabel Hebner

Step 5

Sauté spices until fragrant

Step 6

Add veggie broth, lentils, and coconut milk to put and turn heat on high

Isabel Hebner

Step 7

Bring pot to a boil and allow to boil for 3 minutes

Isabel Hebner

Step 8

Lower to a simmer, partially place a lid over the pot, and allow to cook for 17-20 mins (or until lentils are fully cooked)

Isabel Hebner

Step 9

Stir every 3 mins to prevent sticking to bottom of pan and add more broth if needed

Isabel Hebner

Step 10

When the lentils are fully cooked, lower heat to lowest setting, add spinach, salt, and cayenne to taste

Isabel Hebner

Step 11

Enjoy over rice, more sweet potatoes, or on its own!

Isabel Hebner