What is the difference between lentil curry and dal?

Dal is just boiled lentils, with simple spices added after boiling. A 'curry', on the other hand, is usually heavily spiced . In a curry, the spices are added at the start, not at the end.

Is dal healthier than chicken?

Chicken is carb-free, while 125g raw lentils (all dals) contain roughly 82 grams carbs, including 16 grams of fiber . In terms of calories, chicken provides 140 calories per 100 grams, while lentils provide about three times this amount (441 kcal per 125g).

Which Indian lentil is the healthiest?

Urad dal or black lentil is one of the most nutritious pulses known to mankind. Low in fat and calories, Urad dal helps to improve digestion. With it being a rich source of protein and vitamin B3, it makes our bones stronger and is said to boost energy levels, enhance heart health and strengthen our nervous system.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking?

Can You Eat Butternut Squash Skin? It's important to note that while many people choose to remove butternut squash skin (and this is best practice for soup making, where you want smooth results), you can 100% eat roasted butternut squash skin. Slice butternut squash into crescents and roast it with the skin on.

Is butternut squash healthy?

Butternut squash offers nutritional values like vitamin A, potassium, and fiber . Health benefits of this winter squash include managing high blood pressure, preventing asthma, and promoting healthy skin and hair. Contrary to the name, winter squash is grown in the summer and harvested in the fall.

Can you eat butternut squash raw?

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

Is dal and lentil the same?

Though often translated as lentils, dals are actually any split pulses (legumes) . A pulse refers to the dry, edible seed of the pod. This includes beans, lentils, peas, and other little seeds in lentils or beans. So, any split legume is considered a dal in Indian culture.

What is lentil curry made of?

It's a gourmet-tasting yet weeknight-friendly meal that packs rich and decadent flavors into a simple one-pot recipe. Using pantry staples, like red lentils, coconut milk, aromatics, ground Indian spices, and almond butter , this hearty lentil curry comes together in a snap.

What does a dal curry mean?

Derived from the Sanskrit word that means “to split”, dal is a collective term for pulses—lentils, peas, and beans . While sometimes used in other dishes, these pulses are usually served slow-simmered into a soft, porridge-like dish that's also called dal.

Can I use lentils instead of dal?

Lentils for dal aren't interchangeable . You can't substitute one lentil for another willy nilly in a dal unless the recipe blesses it. Lentils have different cooking times, density of texture and levels of nuttiness/sweetness.

Easy Butternut Lentil Curry Recipe Your Family Will Love! (2024)

Bless This Mess › Recipes ›

By Melissa

on Sep 25, 2017, Updated Jul 28, 2020

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This Easy Lentil Curry made with lentils, butternut squash and coconut milk is the perfect healthy plant-based dinner. A simple yet delicious family meal!

I have a few more curry recipes I think you’ll enjoy. Easy Pumpkin Cauliflower Curry, Green Thai Chicken Coconut Curry and Quick and Easy Sweet Potato Curry (meatless) are great recipes to start with.

Easy Lentil Curry with Butternut Squash

Today I’m working with So Delicious, and I’m really really excited about it. I’m really trying to center my kitchen on healthy plant-based meals that are good for my family, good for the earth, and good for my budget!I also like to keep a little running list of recipes that are good to serve to friends and family with food allergies. This recipe is dairy-free, vegan (check on the curry paste), and gluten-free (use the coconut aminos instead of soy sauce), just because of how it’s made.

This creamy sweet and savory lentil curry with butternut squash is hearty comfort food that comes together in a snap. This is a great meal to keep in your regular rotation because it’s so simple but so full of flavor.

We love curry in all forms and this super simple lentil curry is always a hit. The creamy butternut squash breaks down just a bit while cooking to thicken and sweeten the sauce. Add some curry paste and creamy coconut milk, and you are just about done. Rounding out this dish with a squeeze of fresh lime and chopped fresh cilantro is exactly the finish it needs. The bright flavors of lime and cilantro go so well with the warm savory flavors of the coconut milk, squash, and lentils.

You are going to love this one!

Is curry spicy?

Curry paste is a powerhouse of flavor without having to buy a million spices. If you are new to it, it’s time to try it out. I’d recommend red or green curry paste for this recipe. The heat in curry paste seems to vary a lot by brand so you are going to have to play with it a bit to see how much you like. I’d start with adding a smaller amount. Towards the end of the cooking time, taste a little bit. If it needs more flavor, add a little more until it’s to your liking.

What is the best coconut milk for making curry?

I really liked using So Delicious Coconut Milk for this recipes. It’s organic, comes in an easy-to-open carton, and just tastes so fresh. You can use the unsweetened coconut milk or the culinary coconut milk– both are great.

What do I serve with curry?

You can serve this curry over white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or spaghetti squash, or with flatbread or pita bread on the side. It’s so versatile.

What type of lentils do I use for this recipe?

I used brown lentils for this recipe. They hold their shape while cooking and you can see the individual lentils once it is finished. If you were to use red lentils, they would break down while cooking and create a thicker, more “stew-like” curry. Use what you have on hand or prefer, because both are great options.

Easy Lentil Curry with Butternut Squash

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4.4 from 5 reviews

Author: Melissa Griffiths-Bless this Mess
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Serves 4 to 6 1x

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Description

This Easy Lentil Curry made with lentils, butternut squash and coconut milk is the perfect healthy plant-based dinner. A simple yet delicious family meal!

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
3–5 cloves garlic, minced
1–5 teaspoons curry paste
3/4 cup lentils
1 small butternut squash, peeled, deseeded, and cubed, about 3 cups cubed squash
1 carton So Delicious Coconut Milk (unsweetened), or two cartons So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk
1/4 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos, plus more for serving
Sea salt
Lime wedges, for serving
Chopped cilantro, for serving

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Instructions

Heat a medium pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and onions.
Cook the until the onions are translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and curry paste and cook, stirring well, until the garlic is fragrant and the curry paste is well incorporated.
Add the lentils, butternut squash, and coconut milk. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring often, until the lentils are tender and the squash is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Add the soy sauce or coconut aminos and additional sea salt to taste.
Serve hot over rice or with flatbread and garnish with fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, and additional soy sauce or coconut aminos to taste.

Notes

See the tips and tricks section in the post for lots of notes on this recipe.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 35 min
Category: Dinner
Method: Stove
Cuisine: Indian

Are you new to So Delicious?

I used their unsweetened coconut milk for dishes like One Pot Coconut Chicken and RiceandGreen Thai Chicken Coconut Curry, and I keep it on hand for smoothies (and I love that it is shelf stable since I have to pick it up when I go to town, which isn’t all that often). You could also use the “culinary coconut milk.” It is whiter and fresher than canned equivalents, and it’s formulated to work with recipes calling for a 14oz can. I’m going to look for culinary coconut milk next time I’m out!

Happy healthy curry, from my home to yours! Thank you so much for supporting the brands that I thoughtfully choose to work with.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by So Delicious. I use and love this company regularly in my kitchen and all opinions are my own.

About Melissa

Easy Butternut Lentil Curry Recipe Your Family Will Love! (2024)

Easy Lentil Curry with Butternut Squash

Is curry spicy?

What is the best coconut milk for making curry?

What do I serve with curry?

What type of lentils do I use for this recipe?

Easy Lentil Curry with Butternut Squash

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

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What is the difference between lentil curry and dal? ›