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  • Coconut Dal with Fried Shallots and Flatbread
Coconut Dal with Fried Shallots and Flatbread

By OcadoLife
Budget-friendly yet big on flavour, this easy and comforting Coconut Dal with Fried Shallots and Flatbread is inspired by curry with roti prata [paratha] – a favourite at street-food stalls in Singapore. Shu Han Lee,…
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Time and servings

Total time
Prep time
Cooking time

Ingredients

13 total
  • 200g red lentils, rinsed
  • 3 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 lemongrass stalk, bashed
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • 1 (400ml) tin coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 star anise
  • 3 shallots, sliced into rings
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt, plus a pinch
  • 4 frozen parathas
  • 1 handful coriander, torn

Method

5 steps
  1. Step 1

    In a saucepan, combine the lentils, tomatoes, lemongrass, turmeric, cumin, ground coriander, coconut milk and 400ml water. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low for 12-15 mins, until the lentils are soft.

  2. Step 2

    Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the star anise and shallots; spread out in a single layer. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt; sizzle for 2-3 mins, until golden.

  3. Step 3

    Set 1 tbsp of the shallots aside to garnish, then stir the rest into the dal with any oil and 1 tsp sea salt.

  4. Step 4

    Fry the parathas in the same pan for 2 mins each side or until golden.

  5. Step 5

    Remove the star anise and spoon the dal into bowls; top with the reserved fried shallots and some coriander. Serve with the parathas.