Mango Dal: Indian Style Split Peas with Mango
Mango Dal: Indian-spiced split pea dal with mango. This interesting variation to your everyday lentil dish is colorful, flavorful, subtly sweet, savory, and hearty. Gluten-free, soy-free. Use other lentils for variation. Can easily be doubled or halved.
Servings 6 people
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups yellow split peas
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon tumeric
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil or canola oil
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds or 1.5 teaspoons mustard seed powder
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (chopped) or 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- 1.5 cups diced tomatoes can use canned tomatoes
- 4 teaspoons diced green chiles I used canned
- 2 mangos peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- ½ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
Instructions
- Rinse and drain split peas until the water runs clear. Combine split peas, 4 cups water, salt, and turmeric in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-35 minutes or until split peas are soft.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in another pan (medium heat). Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Saute for about 20 seconds.
- Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and continue to cook (about 2 minutes). Add remainder of spices and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes and green chilies to spice mixture and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Pour this mixture over the boiled split peas and stir until combined.
- Stir in chopped mangos and bring pot to a boil (adding more water if lentils are too thick). Turn heat down to simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes more or until it reaches desired consistency.
- Stir in vegan butter and cilantro. Taste. Add more salt if needed and adjust spices to your liking if needed. You can even spice blends like garam masala for more flavor! Served with rice, veggies, or flatbread.
Notes
Both ripe and under-ripe mango will work: less-ripe mango imparts a tart flavor and holds its shape, while riper mango breaks down more during cooking and gives the dish a sweeter taste.