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Caribbean Spiced Spinach Dhal

I’m sure you’re used to those bland boring dhal recipes that just taste like wet lentils. Well NO MORE, this banging Caribbean spiced spinach dhal is packed full of flavour.

Unlike a traditional curry spice adding a blend Caribbean inspired spices to the dhal makes it sweeter and more fragrant. I’m in love with how this tastes – coconutty, savoury, sweet and spicy all rolled into one.

I’ve added a dollop of coconut yoghurt to mellow out some of the spice and provide a creamy balance to the dhal. It is divine.

The best thing about this dish is it’s super versatile, you can have it on its own as a main, as a side or as the base of a separate dish. I like to roast squash in curry powder then dunk it in a bed of this dhal and serve on a huge platter at dinner parties. It goes down a treat.

When to eat

Spinach is a ferocious spring crop and the best Spinach is available from March to June.

Caribbean Spiced Spinach Dhal

I'm sure you're used to those bland boring dhal recipes that just taste like wet lentils. Well NO MORE, this banging Caribbean spiced spinach dhal is packed full of flavour.
4.23 from 9 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Course Main Course, Soup

This meal is around 91% less polluting than the average UK meal.

Eating this recipe will save around 2.68 KG CO2e per person.

That’s equivalent to the emissions produced driving 22.16 KM in a modern car.

How do I calculate this?

Ingredients

  • 200 g Green Lentils (puy/french style)
  • 2 Large Onions
  • 6 Cloves Garlic
  • 100 g Ginger
  • 1 (400g) Can Coconut Milk
  • 200 g Spinach
  • 2 Spring Onions
  • 1 Lime (juiced)
  • 250 ml Vegetable Stock
  • 2 Teaspoons Allspice
  • 1 Teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika
  • 2 Teaspoons Mustard Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil

Instructions

  • Roughly peel and chop the garlic, ginger and onion. Then blend into a rough paste using a food processor.
  • Heat the sunflower oil into a medium sauce pan and heat over a medium heat. Tip in the onion paste and fry for 3 – 5 minutes or until the paste has begin to take on a little colour.
  • Toss in all the spices – allspice, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, mustard powder and sugar. Stir into the onion paste until evenly combined and cook for a few minutes.
  • Pour in the green lentils, coconut milk and stock and bring the pan to the boil. Cover and turn down to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until the lentils are soft. (If you are using thinner asian style green lentils you can reduce the cooking time considerably, the lentils should be done after about 15 – 20 minutes).
  • When your lentils have cooked, take your pan off the heat and season to taste. Tip in the juice from the lime and spinach leaves. Stir the spinach into the dhal until the leaves begin to wilt into the sauce.
  • Serve the dhal with the spring onions, sliced and sprinkled over the top. I like to finish the soup by stirring in a little coconut yoghurt.

Hi i'm Hugo

I started Lowly to help more people discover sustainable food. Planet-friendly food doesn’t have to be bland and boring. My recipes celebrate how diverse and flavourful it truly is.

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2 Comments

Megan

August 12, 2021 at 9:27 am

When does the lime go in? Thanks!

    hugo

    August 12, 2021 at 9:30 am

    Hey Megan, squeeze the juice of the lime into the dhal once the spinach has been wilted into the lentils.