Red Lentil and Coconut Dal with Toasted Sunflower Seeds | Rebel Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How should red lentils be cooked? ›

Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes. For split red lentils, cook time is typically only about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to season with salt after cooking – if salt is added before, the lentils will become tough.

This versatile dehydrated coconut is an excellent addition to dishes. Check out our brilliant desiccated coconut recipes, from flavourful starters to spicy Asian curries and sweet dessert treats.

How to prepare lentils. Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

Do red lentils need to be soaked before cooking? No, there is no need to soak red lentils before cooking but it is a good idea to give them a quick rinse.

In reality, Tarka signifies that the dhal has been tempered with a mixture of crisp fried garlic, onion and chilli towards the end of cooking, a process which adds a total flavour bomb to the lentils.

In Hindi, the word 'Dal' means 'lentils' and Tadka means 'tempering'. So Dal Tadka means lentils finished with a tempering, at the end. Also known as Tarka daal, this is immensely popular in the Indian restaurants.

Serve the red lentil dal in bowls with cooked brown or basmati rice and fresh naan bread on the side. Enjoy!

By comparing the health benefits and usage of shredded and desiccated coconuts it can be concluded that each type has its own benefits and is widely used in different dishes to add flavor and taste. However, if we compare both based on the versatility then desiccated coconut will win the race.

Desiccated coconut is finely ground coconut, rather than bigger strips. This is also usually drier than shredded coconut. Unlike coconut flour, though, desiccated coconut maintains the fat content – so they can't be used interchangeably.

Can I use shredded coconut instead of desiccated coconut? ›

I often use shredded coconut and desiccated coconut interchangeably when I am baking, making desserts, curries or coconut recipes. Shredded coconut is a larger fiber so you may want to pulse it in a food processor to make it finer to become more like desiccated coconut if needed.

Do red lentils get mushy when cooked? Yes, red lentils are supposed to get mushy and break down into a puree-like texture when cooked. If you want lentils that retain their shape, try cooking red lentils with a different water ratio (see above) or, better yet, choosing green or brown lentils.

Red Lentils

Red (or yellow) lentils cook much more quickly than any other variety. They become soft and tender after simmering for just 15 minutes! As they cook, they melt and dissolve, creating a delicious creamy texture. Consequently, they're a great choice for adding to thick curries, stews, or an Indian dal.

Around 15 minutes will start to turn them into a puree, 25 minutes you'll have mush. Cook them for around 10-15 minutes if you want to use them in a salad, you want a tender but firm texture and for them to still hold their shape. The easiest way is to check on your lentils as you cook them.

Soaking naturally deactivates the harmful compounds and activates all the goodness of the seed and increases its nutritional value manifold. The process of soaking removes the gas-causing elements from the lentils. While legumes contain complex oligosaccharides, a type of complex sugar responsible for bloating and gas.