When the weather starts to cool, it’s nice to have warm comfort food that’s nutritious as well as satisfying. This recipe is adapted from The Best Easy Dal Recipe by Happy Veggie Kitchen. The name implies that there are probably quite a few more complicated ways to make Dal… but we’re keeping it simple.

You may know from our lentil soup recipe what a powerhouse of nutrients and protein lentils are for vegans, and mixed with this blend of spices makes this a truly anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting meal.

Makes 4 servings

30 min preparation

1 Cup (190 g) dry red lentils
Handful of green or black lentils for texture
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
Juice of 1 lemon, squeezed

Tarka (fried spices)

1 small onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin)
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Dash of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garam masala
Dash of ground coriander
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons salted butter or coconut oil

Garnish

Fresh cilantro or a chiffonade of basil (a culinary technique where you stack fresh basil leaves, roll them together, and slice them thinly into strips or ribbons)

Rinse the lentils in a sieve, then put them in a large saucepan with the turmeric, a pinch of salt and 3 cups (700 ml) of water.

Make rice if serving together.

Gather, prepare and line up your tarka ingredients. Traditionally, you will be adding everything in quick succession while frying, although I have (when constrained with time) put everything in at the same time, and it still turns out pretty tasty.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and cook the onions until soft and slightly browned. Add the sliced garlic and stir while adding the red pepper flakes and ginger.

Once fragrant, push all the onion, garlic and ginger to the sides of the pan and add the fenugreek and cumin seeds to the middle of the pan to toast them, just for a few moments until fragrant.

Turn off the heat and immediately add the butter or coconut oil, garam masala, corinander and smoked paprika. Stir as the residual heat melts the butter and slightly fries the spices.

Once the lentils are cooked, stir in the lemon juice. When the tarka is ready, pour over the lentils and stir through. Allow the dal to sit, off the heat, for a few minutes to rest.

Garnish with a chiffonade of your choice. Enjoy!

The benefits of turmeric will astound you. It combats inflammation and nurtures the body. Integrating it into your dogs meals (and yours!) may help them (and you) heal faster and live longer. For more information on the healing power of turmeric, check out this article from GreenMedInfo: 900 Reasons Turmeric Might be the World's Most Important Herb

This recipe is shared by Ruthy, an herbalist and massage therapist at Pike Creek Pets - Canine Massage Therapy. Learn more here.

1/2 cup turmeric powder
1 cup water
1/2 cup raw unrefined coconut oil (or 1/4 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup peanut butter for picky dogs)
1-1/2 teaspoons black pepper

Boil the water in a medium saucepan. Add the turmeric and black pepper to the boiling water and simmer for five minutes, stirring. This increases the bio-availability of the healing compounds. Remove from heat and stir in oil (and peanut butter if using) until well blended.

Let cool for 10 minutes and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator or freezer. Mix a small amount with your dog’s meal or bake into treats.

We add golden paste to our soups and stews, and sautes that have Indian and African flavors. Or add to eggs to brighten their color and add flavor.