Best Vegetable Dansak Recipes

COCONUT & SQUASH DHANSAK

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan. Put the squash in a bowl with a splash of water. Cover with cling film and microwave on High for 10 mins or until tender. Meanwhile, add the onions to the hot oil and cook for a few mins until soft. Add the curry paste, tomatoes and coconut milk, and simmer for 10 mins until thickened to a rich sauce.
• Warm the naan breads in a low oven or in the toaster. Drain any liquid from the squash, then add to the sauce with the lentils, spinach and some seasoning. Simmer for a further 2-3 mins to wilt the spinach, then stir in the coconut yogurt. Serve with the warm naan and a dollop of extra yogurt.

MEAT OR TOFU DHANSAK

Steps:

• In a small thick bottomed saucepan (with a lid), rinse and cover the lentils with water to twice their depth. Bring to a simmer, and cook on very low heat until all the water has been absorbed and the lentils can be crushed into a paste.
• After starting off the lentils, place the oil in a large heated frying pan (with a lid). Add and fry the onion on medium-high for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until glassy. Add the spice mix, stirring it into the onion, and continue to fry until the oil is seeping out of the spices (add a little water if sticking).
• Add chicken, lamb, or (partially pre-fried) tofu pieces and fry until lightly browned. Add the tomato paste or crushed tomatoes, and stock, and stir them in. Put the lid on the pan, bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Now add and stir in the mashed lentils and the yoghurt, and continue to simmer with lid on for 10 minutes.
• Finally, add the lemon juice, sugar (or sugar substitute), and crushed fenugreek, mix in well and simmer for 15 more minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving with boiled Basmati Rice.