One-Pot Cauliflower Dal

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2 min read
Summary

Recipes that require only one pot and minimal preparation help to minimize kitchen time and make space for other things that make you happy. Prepare this dish in the morning and store it in the refrigerator for dinner later that evening or the next day (the flavors really pop the next day!). Knowing that you have something ready-to-go will take the stress out of what to make. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing that this dish is powered with plant-based ingredients that fight inflammation like legumes, kale, and ginger.

Yields4 ServingsPrep Time10 minsCook Time1 hrTotal Time1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

 1 cup chana dal (split chickpeas), uncooked, rinsed well (See Chef’s Notes)
 2 tbsp vegetable broth (unsalted, preferably homemade)
 1 cup yellow onion (chopped)
 2 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
 3 medium fresh garlic cloves (minced)
 4 tbsp red curry paste
 2 cups cauliflower (roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces)
 1 small dried Thai chili peppers (optional) + 1 as desired
 13.50 oz coconut milk (light, BPA-free can)
 1 cup vegetable broth (unsalted, preferably homemade)
 2 tbsp organic tamari (reduced-sodium or coconut aminos)
 1 tbsp maple syrup or date paste, recipe link in Chef’s Notes
 2 cups organic kale (chopped, fibrous stems removed)
 1 tbsp lime juice (preferably freshly squeezed) +1 Tbsp as needed
 ¼ cup cilantro (optional) chopped
 ¼ cup green onion (optional) sliced
 salt (optional) to taste
 ground black pepper (optional) to taste

Directions

1

Add chana dal to a medium bowl and cover with water. Allow to soak for 4–6 hours or overnight. Then rinse, drain, and set aside. (Alternatively, you could soak them in hot water for one hour.)

2

Heat a large rimmed skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 2 Tbsp vegetable broth and onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent.

3

Turn the heat down to medium and stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for 60 seconds.

4

Add the curry paste, mixing it with the onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook for 1–2 minutes more.

5

Stir in the cauliflower, Thai chili peppers (if using) and sauté a few more minutes. (Add 2–4 tablespoons of more vegetable broth or water if needed to prevent sticking.)

6

Add coconut milk, remaining vegetable broth, tamari, maple syrup, and chana dal. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.

7

Cook for approximately 30–40 minutes, uncovered, until chana dal is tender.

8

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in your kale until wilted (about 1–2 minutes).

9

Taste and adjust flavor as needed, maple syrup for sweetness, tamari or salt for saltiness, or red curry paste for more intense curry flavor.

10

Divide the dal between bowls and garnish with a squeeze of lime, cilantro and green onion, if desired. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Chef's Notes

Substitutions
Instead of chana dal, use brown or green lentils.

In place of kale, use your favorite leafy green.

Substitute parsley for cilantro.

Use date paste in place of maple syrup.

Prep ahead
Soak the chana dal overnight or the day before, rinse and store in a container in the refrigerator for 1–2 days until ready to make the recipe.

Add your favorite organic whole grain
Top the dal on brown rice, quinoa or other whole grain of choice.

Storage
Store the One-Pot Cauliflower Dal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–7 days or in the freezer for up to 30 days.

Ingredients

 1 cup chana dal (split chickpeas), uncooked, rinsed well (See Chef’s Notes)
 2 tbsp vegetable broth (unsalted, preferably homemade)
 1 cup yellow onion (chopped)
 2 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
 3 medium fresh garlic cloves (minced)
 4 tbsp red curry paste
 2 cups cauliflower (roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces)
 1 small dried Thai chili peppers (optional) + 1 as desired
 13.50 oz coconut milk (light, BPA-free can)
 1 cup vegetable broth (unsalted, preferably homemade)
 2 tbsp organic tamari (reduced-sodium or coconut aminos)
 1 tbsp maple syrup or date paste, recipe link in Chef’s Notes
 2 cups organic kale (chopped, fibrous stems removed)
 1 tbsp lime juice (preferably freshly squeezed) +1 Tbsp as needed
 ¼ cup cilantro (optional) chopped
 ¼ cup green onion (optional) sliced
 salt (optional) to taste
 ground black pepper (optional) to taste

Directions

1

Add chana dal to a medium bowl and cover with water. Allow to soak for 4–6 hours or overnight. Then rinse, drain, and set aside. (Alternatively, you could soak them in hot water for one hour.)

2

Heat a large rimmed skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 2 Tbsp vegetable broth and onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent.

3

Turn the heat down to medium and stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for 60 seconds.

4

Add the curry paste, mixing it with the onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook for 1–2 minutes more.

5

Stir in the cauliflower, Thai chili peppers (if using) and sauté a few more minutes. (Add 2–4 tablespoons of more vegetable broth or water if needed to prevent sticking.)

6

Add coconut milk, remaining vegetable broth, tamari, maple syrup, and chana dal. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.

7

Cook for approximately 30–40 minutes, uncovered, until chana dal is tender.

8

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in your kale until wilted (about 1–2 minutes).

9

Taste and adjust flavor as needed, maple syrup for sweetness, tamari or salt for saltiness, or red curry paste for more intense curry flavor.

10

Divide the dal between bowls and garnish with a squeeze of lime, cilantro and green onion, if desired. Add salt and pepper to taste.

One-Pot Cauliflower Dal