By Kate Percy

Published: Thursday, 03 February 2022 at 12:00 am


A warming and spicy one to add to your training repertoire – Chickpea dhal with coconut and kale.

Loaded with the good stuff, you can’t go wrong with this dish; it’s a good vegetarian source of protein and is also rich in fibre and vitamins A and C.

You’ve also got the added benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of the ginger, garlic and spice. Serve with brown basmati rice or naan bread.

  • 5072
  • Total time 00 hours 25 minutes
  • Prep time 05 minutes
  • Cook time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • Coconut oil 1 tbsp
  • onion 1, finely sliced
  • fresh ginger 2cm piece, grated
  • Cinnamon stick
  • Cumin seeds. ground tumeric, ground coriander 1 tsp each
  • Dried chilli 1/2 tsp
  • chickpeas 400g can, drained
  • tomatoes 400g can, chopped
  • Veg stock 250ml
  • Coconut cream 100ml
  • garlic 1 clove, crushed
  • garlic 2 cloves, finely sliced
  • Kale leaves 200g, finely chopped
  • fresh coriander 25g, roughly chopped

Method

  • Step 1

    Gently heat ½ tbsp coconut oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion for a few minutes. Stir in crushed garlic, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, coriander and dried chilli, very gently cook for 1min.

    Step 2

    Add chickpeas, tomatoes and stock. Bring to boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 12-15mins.

    Step 3

    Stir in coconut cream and kale, gently cook for 2mins until wilted. Season to taste. In a small pan, heat ½ tbsp coconut oil.

    Step 4

    Fry the sliced garlic for just 30secs. Spoon over the dhal. Top with coriander.

Three alternative flavour combinations:

  1. Roasted cauliflower: Parboil cauliflower florets and roast in a little oil for 30mins until soft and golden brown. Add at step 3, swapping the kale out for the cauliflower.
  2. Black lentil: Cook black ‘urid’ lentils according to pack, then replace chickpeas for lentils. Omit the kale. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to step 4.
  3. Dhal soup: Increase the stock to 600ml. At step 3 blend the mix before adding the coconut cream. Swap kale for spinach and continue to step 4.