Weekday Cauliflower Dal

• 3 tbsp coconut oil or butter/ghee
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp ground curry spice blend
• 1/2 tbsp mixed mustard seeds, coriander seeds and cardamom seeds (or just add 1/2 tbsp extra ground curry)
• 1 large chunk (5 cm / 2 inches) fresh ginger
• 1 cauliflower (approx 500 g / 1/2 lb)
• 3 potatoes, coarsely diced
• 200 g / 1 cup red lentils
• 2 soft dates, pitted and mashed
• 1 litre / 4 cups water or vegetable stock
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Garlicky spinach

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• 2-3 handfuls spinach

 

Tomato salad

• 10 cherry tomatoes
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• salt & pepper

Make the Cauliflower Dal: Heat coconut oil, onion and garlic in a large saucepan on low/medium heat. Add the curry, grind the extra spices in a mortar and add those as well (or just add more curry). Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it smells fragrant, but be careful so the spices do not burn. If it feels too dry add a spoonful, or more, of water.

Break the cauliflower into florets and chop the stem finely. Peel the potatoes and dice them into 1 cm / 1/2 inch bits. Add both to the sauce pan along with the lentils and dates. Stir and sauté for about a minute before adding water or stock. Let simmer for 30 minutes or until the lentils are starting to dissolve and the cauliflower florets are tender. Stir carefully (if you want the cauliflower florets to stay intact) a few times.

Add apple cider vinegar and salt to taste. Give the soup 2-3 pulses with a hand blender (if you like, see note above). Serve in bowls with a dollop of yogurt (coconut yogurt or regular yogurt) and top with garlicky spinach and tomato salad.

Make the Garlicky Spinach: Heat coconut oil in a skillet. Sauté mustard seeds and garlic on low/medium heat until golden and fragrant. Add spinach and turn off the heat. Stir until wilted. Ready for serving.

Make the Tomato Salad: Cut the tomatoes in halves and place in a bowl. Add olive oil, vinegar salt and pepper and toss to combine. Serve on top of the dal for a fresh zing of flavor.