French Puy Lentils are these mottled, dark gems that cook up into pearly black deliciousness.
I love these little guys because they have a peppery flavor that goes nicely with Indian spices. This time, I substituted them for the pink lentils (masoor) I use to make Cauliflower Dal. They were so good, I am never making this dish without them again.
This dal makes a great weeknight meal with some boiled rice and subzi. The lentils cook quite fast and easily in my pressure cooker, although I guess they'd do pretty well too in a microwave because of their tiny size.
It's a busy weeknight so I'm going to stop nattering and get on with the recipe. Here we go!
More Indian dal recipes
- Spicy Urad Dal
- Vegan Dal Makhani
- Instant Pot Masoor Dal
- South Indian Cabbage Dal (Cabbage Kootu)
- Amaranth Dal
Cauliflower Dal with French Lentils
A delicious and easy ginger-infused cauliflower dal with lentils
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Review Recipe
Servings: 8
Calories: 145kcal
Ingredients
- 3 cups brown lentils (or French puy lentils, cooked or canned)
- 1 medium head cauliflower , separated into florets
- 1 red onion , sliced thinly
- 1- inch knob ginger , grated
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 green cardamom pods , bruised
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cayenne
- ½ tsp turmeric
For tempering
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 5 cloves garlic , minced
Instructions
- Heat the 1 tbsp vegetable oil and add cardamom
- Stir for a minute and add the onions.
- Fry on medium heat until the onions brown at the edges.
- Add the ginger and stir for a few seconds.
- Add the coriander powder, chilli powder and turmeric and stir to coat with oil.
- Add the cauliflower and salt to taste. Stir well, add ½ cup of water, cover and let cook until the cauliflower is tender.
- Add the lentils and stir well. Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Check salt.
- Heat the oil for tempering. Add the cumin seeds and, when they sputter, add the garlic.
- Stir-fry the garlic until light brown. Pour the garlic-oil mixture on the dal.
- Garnish with coriander and serve hot with rice.
Nutrition
Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 108IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Can I add some fresh spinach? Do you think it'll taste nice?
Absolutely. Give it a try!
This is very different from the dal I make. Love the idea of using cauliflower in dal, looks hearty.
Wishing you and your family a happy diwali!
Wow, beautiful header Vaishali!
Hey vaishali, Opie and Lucy look so cute:-) Lovely recipe with french lentils and cauliflower. I love french lentils too, they cook up so fast. These are good substitute to whole masoor dal.
Hi there, I called via Suranga's (gappa) site and the reason ? your dish sounds absolutely delicious and after having read the ingredients and recipe my south is watering. Unfortunately I can't take advantage of the recipe as I am married to a man who can't eat spices, sauces and goodness knows what else - he also hates the smell of these - he counts brocolli and cauliflower as exotic vegetables for goodness sake ! ARGHH ! he drives me insane at times - I manage to cope for a month or so and then have to call at my friends with a couple of other friends and we all go out and splurge out on having a spicy meal either Chinese or Indian - yum! My next visit is coming up this week and I am really desperate for a spice of any kind my palate has all but died... Thanks for the third handed enjoyment of your Ginger Cauliflower with Lentils - It sounds really very appetising. Cheers from Scotland, Kate x.
my husband loves the cauliflower. I'll need to try this, it sounds yummers.
Vaishali..
pls collect hardblogger award from my blog .. u deserve it...
http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/10/hard-working-food-blogger-award.html
wow, what a delicious combo! the curry/dal looks simply marvelous. Opie and Lucy look so adorable. Have a great weekend.
Your pups are so lucky to have a mom like you! You're one of the sweetest, most caring people. :o) And they're probably always drooling around the kitchen there. I would be!
hi...pls collect ur award from my blog...:-)
http://gourmetaffair.blogspot.com/2008/10/diwali-festival-of-lights-and-award.html
opie and lucy are adorable...
and need i say anything abt the recipe! puy lentils given indian twist. very innovative vaishali.
Delicioussss Lentils..n healthy too...Opie looks cute..
That is a new lentil variety I have never seen..Looks like a protein packed dish.
Opie makes me pitty with his innocent face, The lentil and Gobi combo is just awesome 🙂
Very different from the usual cauliflower subji. Makes a hearty meal with rice.. I agree.