Paleo Cauliflower & Pumpkin ‘Dal’

This Whole30 & paleo-friendly adaptation of a traditional dal (or dahl, dhal) is made with pumpkin and cauliflower and no legumes. This stew-like Indian-inspired dish is nutritious and full of fibre and is perfect as a plant-based dinner. You can make it with pumpkin or any other sweet winter squash. Of course, you can always serve it with regular rice too.

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Cauliflower & Pumpkin ‘Dal’

Dal, also known as Daal, Dahl and Dhal depending on who you ask, is a lovely, hearty and comforting stew-like dish from India made with pulses. Dal itself is a name for a pulse but the dish is often made with split peas or chickpeas.

Unless I go through a rigorous process of soaking, maybe sprouting and then intensive cooking, those little buggers don’t agree with me. BUT, I love the idea of dal and the flavours it carries, so I’ve decided to make my own paleo version without the legumes.

This is ‘dal’ only by association but equally warming and delicious. Instead of using legumes, I thought I could use pumpkin or squash (sweet potato or carrot could also be used) for sweetness, colour and mushy texture. To add some crunch, I used some finely chopped cauliflower, as you would for cauliflower rice, and some sesame seeds. A huge whack of spices and some coconut milk, and I actually created something I am super proud of.

My paleo ‘dal’ is full of nutrients and fibre and can be eaten as is on a cold night or as a side with some meat or fish. It goes really well with some boiled or fried eggs for breakfast.

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I’ve done this recipe twice now and it is absolutely delicious! I’m doing it for a dinner party tonight, serving it with beef madras, rice and chapatis but it’s amazing on its own too. Thank you!

★★★★★ – Jeremy C.

I can’t describe how good this “Dal” is. We make it regularly and it’s fantastic. The flavours are great and the texture of the cauliflower with the sesame seeds just gives it that extra dimension and texture. I’m having it for lunch today and can’t wait! Thanks so much for doing the experimenting for us Irena 🙂

★★★★★ – Maddy

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Tips For Making Paleo Dal

Garam Masala is an Indian spice mix made with pepper, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, bay leaf and cumin (usually, there are variations). You can find it in any supermarket or Asian stores. I love having it around as it’s great for curries and stews. If you can’t find any garam masala, simply mix tother mild curry powder with a little cinnamon, nutmeg and cumin.

Ginger and garlic powders can be used instead of fresh.

The thickened part of the coconut milk in a can is the same as using coconut cream. Sweet potato and carrot can be used in place of pumpkin, I used butternut pumpkin/squash as it’s usually quite sweet.

AIP modifications: omit the sesame seeds and the chilli flakes and check the spice mix ingredients as onions can bother some people, in which case you can use a leek instead.

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More Indian-Inspired Recipes

• Chicken Tikka Masala With Spinach & Cranberries
• Creamed Spinach With A Hint Of Curry
• Thirty-Clove Garlic Soup
• Spicy Coconut Lamb Curry

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Paleo Cauliflower & Pumpkin 'Dal'

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Author: Irena Macri

Servings: 4

Course: Main

Cuisine: Indian-inspired

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5 from 12 votes

Calories: 431kcal

Learn how to make legume-free, paleo-friendly dal with pumpkin, cauliflower and sesame seeds. It's a hearty, nutritious dish that is also plant-based. Sub fish sauce for coconut aminos or extra salt for a vegan version.

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 large onion finely diced (use a food processor)
• ▢ 20 grams ghee or butter - 1 tablespoon (or 2 tablespoons olive oil)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• ▢ 3 large cloves garlic finely diced or grated
• ▢ 500 grams butternut pumpkin or squash, diced into small cubes (1 lb.)
• ▢ 2 teaspoons garam masala or mild curry powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon fish sauce optional
• ▢ 2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
• ▢ 200 g coconut cream 1 cup
• ▢ Juice of 1/2 lime
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 2-3 tablespoons sesame seeds
• ▢ 1/2 medium head cauliflower broken into florets
• ▢ A handful of fresh coriander chopped
• ▢ Extra sesame seeds and coconut cream for garnish

Instructions

• Sauté onion in ghee and coconut oil over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, until softened and slightly golden.
• Add the ginger, squash and garlic and stir through for a minute. Add the spices and stir through. Then add the fish sauce, stock, coconut cream, lime juice, salt and sesame seeds and stir through. Bring to boil, turn down to medium-low and cover with a lid. Cook for about 8-10 minutes.
• In the meantime, either chop or grind the cauliflower florets into small crumbs. I used a food processor and added separated florets in three batches, whizzed a few times for a couple of seconds each time, until finely chopped up but not completely ground up into dust. You can use a knife and chop the cauli super finely.
• After 8-10 minutes of cooking the pumpkin, stir in the cauliflower rice and cook together for 5 minutes, covered with a lid. Stir a couple of times.
• Using a potato masher, press down the cooked mixture a few times to soften the pumpkin pieces slightly. You want some of the pumpkin flesh to become the sauce itself.
• Serve with fresh coriander and a dollop of coconut cream or yoghurt. Add a few sesame seeds over the top for presentation.

Notes

Can I freeze this dal? I don't recommend freezing this particular dish as it will lose some fo the texture but as a plant-based recipe, it will keep for 4-5 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 620mg | Potassium: 1079mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 13380IU | Vitamin C: 68mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 4mg

Keywords: Indian Recipes, Paleo, Pumpkin, Grain-Free, Cauliflower Recipes

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