Lentil and Kale Dal
Lentils are what we make for dinner if I have not planned ahead of time to soak beans or buy ingredients for a meal. Lentils are inexpensive and cook quickly without the need for soaking. However, if you are gluten-sensitive or celiac, there is one thing you need to know about lentils. They are often cross-contaminated with gluten grains.
We have found that the contamination is not happening in the bulk bins, it happens before the lentils arrive to the co-op. The best thing to do is to sort through them and pick out the gluten grains then rinse them thoroughly and proceed with the recipe. One of those grains in a pot of soup can adversely affect someone with gluten issues for weeks or more. You can either remove the grains or remove lentils from your diet to avoid possible cross-contamination. If you are gluten-sensitive be sure to include this very important step before preparing lentils!
I love making lentil soups and dals for dinner served over brown rice. These are easy to make and the ingredients are inexpensive. Use an Instant Pot to get dinner on the table even faster!
Lentil and Kale Dal
I add kale to everything because it's such a nutrient dense green leafy vegetable and I grow it almost year-round in my gardens. Of course, you could add spinach, chard, broccoli leaves, or any other green you have on hand. You can also add diced zucchini, diced carrots, and whatever vegetables you like to this. I like to keep it simple, this way I can prepare it in 10 minutes or less then walk away from it while it is simmering on the stove. Serve dal with a dollop of Spicy Peach Chutney and cooked Sticky Brown Rice.
Lentils are often cross-contaminated with gluten grains. Be sure to sort through the lentils before you use them and pick out any grains, then rinse thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer.
- Heat a 6-quart pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Then add the onions and sauté for 6 to 7 minutes.
- Then add the ginger and spices; sauté a minute more.
- Then add the lentils and water; cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Add the kale and the salt, stir, and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes to cook the kale and reduce the liquid. Continue cooking if you like your dal thicker.
- Turn off heat and add the cilantro. Serve over rice or quinoa.
Slow Cooker Directions
- Add all ingredients except for the kale and cilantro to a 4-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 hours.
- Then stir in the kale and cilantro, cover and let cook on HIGH for another 10 minutes or so. Serve.
Note: I like to add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne for my taste but two of my children find this too spicy. They prefer it when I add 1/8 teaspoon or less.
Use this recipe in our Meal Planner
About the Author
Ali Segersten
Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University and a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. She is a Functional Nutritionist, the mother of five children, a whole foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them. Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book. Alissa is the founder and owner of Nourishing Meals®.Nourishing Meals Newsletter
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Comments
I haven't been able to get French lentils lately; has anyone tried this with regular brown lentils?
Yesterday I once again made a big pot of your lentil and kale dal and realized maybe I should finally leave a comment. I've been using this recipe now for years (not long after it came out) and I love it. We eat it over fluffy hot jasmine rice and always include the 1/4 tsp cayenne (I could probably even up it) and a wee bit o' extra salt. I think I add extra kale too because I stopped measuring years ago and just add two bunches (or a whole bag, if it's not in bunches). I make it when I feel like I've been eating too much meat or when I've been spending too much on food, but still want to eat well or when I'm just in the mood. It never stays out of my rotation long. It goes great with spicy Indian pickled mango too. Mmm! Thank you for the great recipe!
This recipe was great and easy to make.
I recommend eating it with the spicy peach chutney (highlighted in this post). I for one need variety in a dish, so the sweet and spicy taste of the peaches worked well.
Lizzy
Delish! Made this tonight & couldn't stop eating it. I added some fresh cauliflower, carrot and frozen peas...and extra helpings of the spices.
Thanks for posting!
This was *SO* good, and made lots for leftovers! I added 3 chopped carrots, a head of chopped cauliflower, and a block of pressed, extra-firm tofu cut into small squares. Also added 2 c. water & about a teaspoon extra garam masala to accomodate the above. Cooked rice in veggie stock, and all was YUMMY! Thanks so much for another excellent recipe!
Finally made this tonight and it was a huge hit! Used beet greens instead of kale and added about 2 cups diced carrots with the lentils. Delicious. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for posting this! I had no idea that lentils were often cross-contaminated. I bought lentils three times this month, twice in bags from stores and once from a bulk store, and all three batches were contaminated with other grains. I'll pick through and rince my dry lentils from now on, and won't buy the canned ones any more.
Thanks for posting this. Cant wait to try it. My kids are frightened of lentils and other wholesome things so I am hoping more exposure and lots of encouragement can break them of it.
If I am possible celiac do I have to avoid lentils to be on the safe side? I am going to take the test. I already am gluten free due to Hashimotos (but not strict enough about cross contamination and I just developed GERD) and my boy with autism has allergies to both wheat and gluten though not severe. Are lentils out for us unless they are in a wheat free facility?
I buy my lentils in sealed bags, either the store brand from Hy-Vee, or from our local international store. I've rarely had any rocks or anything, and never any grains. Occasionally, I get a different type of bean, like a black bean in my navy beans, or a green split pea in my yellow ones.
Thanks so much for sharing that video. I love lentils and cook them several different ways. Sometimes they make me ill but most of the time I don't have any issues with then. Now I know why, I guess for now I'll have to be more diligent about sorting and rinsing. Hopefully I'll be able to continue eating them. Great recipe btw, I'm learning to like kale and I'm always looking for new ways to prepare them.
I made this tonight, followed the recipe exactly except that I used purple kale. Yet another great recipe from your kitchen!
Just want to point out that 'Dal' and 'Lentil' are the same. Dal is the generic word for all types of lentils.
Dal is also used to describe a preparation - which is usually a soupier consistency.
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing. Great info too about the lentils.
Be Well,
--Amber
Hi again,
My husband did a little searching and found out that lentils are a rotation crop for wheat. There you go! I am glad to know, even though I am kicking myself for not checking into this on my own. It is making me look harder at things now. Thanks!
Stephanie
You're right, lentils are oft cross-contaminated. I can often find a dozen of grains in a cup of lentils (that I bought in a sealed bag). And if you don't pick them out before you cook the lentils, you can't see them anymore...
I find this interesting...
When ever I get ready to grind my whole wheat berries I find lentils in them!!!...
There is a cross contamination that goes both ways...you find grains in your lentils and I find lentils in my grains....
Just thought I would share:)
Great site...Thanks for the recipes...I will surely be making those soon....
We have a little on who has many issues with wheat but has yet to be diagnosed with celiac....
Yay! I look forward to more informative videos :)
I love lentils and have spent a lot of time picking through them and discarding the occasional grain, rock and other assorted debris. Great project for the kids! I rinse them well and have had no problems. But I'm careful. I think so much of that stuff is contaminated. Even things like coconut sugar. Love the looks of this recipe!
Melissa
This is great! How to find safe beans and lentils has been a topic I have had on my mind for awhile. It is nice to see Tom here explaining it all. I thought I was the only person noticing these problems. Definitely the canned beans we tried were causing brain fog for both my son and I. We took them out of the diet for a year and retested them only to find the same reaction. Now my son is really loving split peas, so I am going to check them more closely. I really didn't know what the "grains" looked like so this is very helpful. Thanks so much!
Oh my word!!! I just dumped some of our lentils on a white plate....found four grains instantly. I am so discouraged!! My little boys and I have been eating those, and we are celiac. One more food out of our diet..... On those days when we are not well, and I cannot figure out why, I never would have dumped my lentils on a plate and sifted through them. Thank you so much!! This website, your book - they are amazing resources for us. Thank you.
Stephanie
Thank you for this beautiful recipe. Just yesterday our oldest said how she adores lentils, I will have to surprise her with this.
Peace and Raw Health,
Elizabeth
I am always happy so see the simple recipes you come up with, they are always classic hits! Will have to try this one! Just found I'm low on iron, so time to bulk up on lentils etc in addition to supplements.
I want to ask - you mentioned a few posts ago that Tom made coconut yogurt. I have been trying to make dairy free yogurts at home at I keep failing. What do you use for a starter? Do you have any trial and error discoveries you are willing to share? I would really appreciate it! Thanks.
That looks delicious...I'll need to go pick some kale from the allotment but am definitely going to give this a go for tomorrow evening. Thanks for sharing :)