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
- 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
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