This easy dal with vegetable paratha is such a yummy and cosy meal to enjoy on a week night. Both the dal and paratha are really easy to make and are packed with plant protein, fibre and nutrients. They’re also packed with so many aromatic flavours.
Dal is one of those meals that are so easy to make, yet so delicious and comforting. It’s also really healthy with a good amount of plant-based protein, fibre and antioxidants! Each serving offers 20g protein and 23g fibre! As well as being filling, it’s also satisfying and nourishing packed with so many wholesome ingredients and fragrant spices.
I’m using red lentils to make my dal as they’re really quick to cook. Even more so if you soak them 30 minutes before hand. With soaking, they you’ll have a speedy dinner ready in 15 minutes!
The great thing about dal is that you can also batch cook so you have enough for a quick lunch/dinner the next few days. You can also freeze leftovers for a rainy day when you don’t have time or the energy to cook.
I’m serving my dal with simple homemade vegetable parathas. Parathas are usually very heavy in fat and butter. I’m making a healthier version with less fat and packed it with vegetables for more fibre, nutrients and antioxidants. With each of my paratha containing 7g fibre and 8g protein, so it’s a great (and yummy!) way to add more nutrition to your meal.
What you need to make this easy dal with vegetable paratha:
Red lentils – you can make dal with different types of lentils, but red lentils are my favourite as they’re really quick and easy to cook. They’re also really cheap and great to have in your kitchen cupboard.
Garlic and ginger – essential for all Indian/Asian cooking.
Spices – I’m using spices traditionally used in authentic Indian cooking like turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli powder. I’m also including cumin seeds, mustard seeds and chilli flakes to pack in even more delicious flavours!
Vegetable stock – for more flavour and added saltiness.
Salt & pepper – to taste to enhance all the flavours.
This easy dal with vegetable paratha recipe is:
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
- Easy to make
- Super speedy
- Packed with flavour
- High in protein
- High in fibre
- Convenient
- Great for meal prepping
- And so delicious!
The Best Dal Recipe
Ingredients
- 300g dried red lentils
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 thumb sized fresh ginger peeled and minced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1 vegetable stock pot or cube
- 500ml hot water
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Topping
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 garlic cloves sliced
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
Instructions
- Soak the lentils for 30 minutes, then drain and rinse well until the water runs clear.
- Heat a little bit of oil in a large pot. Add the onions and bay leaves and cook for 5 minutes on a medium heat until the onions are translucent.
- Add the garlic, ginger and spices with a splash of water and cook for another 1 minute.
- Add the lentils along with the stock pot/cube and water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Take off the heat, add the lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- When ready to serve, heat 2 tbsp of oil over a medium heat and add the garlic, chilli flakes, mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Cook for a couple of minutes, then pour over the pan of dal. Mix and serve with rice of homemade vegetable paratha (recipe below).
Nutrition
Vegetable Paratha Recipe
Ingredients
- 400g steamed or boiled mixed vegetables*
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 250g atta wholemeal wheat flour
- 1-2 tbsp butter/dairy-free butter alternative melted
Instructions
- Steam or boil the vegetables until soft enough to mash. Drain them well and start mashing with a potato masher into a smooth(ish) mixture. Allow to cool completely.
- Once the vegetable mash has cooled, add the spices, salt and atta/wholewheat flour. Bring everything together and start to knead until you have a soft, smooth dough.
- You may need to add more flour if the dough is too sticky or a little bit of water if it's too dry (it will all depend on how much moisture is in the vegetables).
- Divide the dough into 6 balls, then roll out on a floured surface into a 7inch paratha.
- Heat a pan over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the paratha and cook for 1 minute, then flip and brush the top with a little bit of melted butter.
- Cook for another 1 minute, then flip again and brush with oil so both sides have a light coating of butter.
- Flip a couple more times, pressing down on the paratha while they cook. Once they're browned on both sides, take off the heat and repeat with the remaining paratha.
So so tasty esp served with the paratha!
So glad you enjoyed it Noura 🙂 The paratha is so versatile too! You can enjoy it with so many dishes like curries, or even on it’s own as a snack with a cup of tea 😀
Made this for dinner tonight. Great as a weekday dinner. Absolutely delicious and easy to put together xx
Aw so glad you enjoyed it 😀 xx
Can’t wait to try. I’ve made your lentil soup so many times, so I know I’ll love this too.
Hi Sumer 🙂 So glad you like the lentil soup – it’s my all time favourite soup 😀 Let me know what you think of the Dal xx
Quick, easy and did not disappoint! My first time trying paratha – loved them so much. Made them a few times already 🙂
Thank you for your feedback Layal 🙂 It’s one of my fave go-to meals too!
This has become my go to speedy dinner recipe during colder months. Thank you for sharing. I also tried your pistachio bars recently – loved them too! Cant wait to try more of your dishes 🙂
So glad you’re enjoying my recipes Zee 🙂 Let me know if you make any of my other recipes! xx