Veggie Lentil Dhansak Instant Pot
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
2
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Calories
274 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian, Vegan, gluten-free
Veggie Lentil Dhansak Instant Pot
Description
Veggie Lentil Dhansak prepared in an Instant Pot includes a blend of split dals such as red lentils, yellow lentils, or toor and moong dal, paired with heaped chopped vegetables like cauliflower, eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, or similar. Leafy greens such as spinach or fenugreek leaves are added to the mixture. The legumes and vegetables are cooked under high pressure with ginger, garlic, green chili, turmeric, salt, and a special dhana jeera spice blend or an equivalent mix of garam masala, coriander, and ground cloves.
The recipe finishes with a tempering step where mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chopped onion, garlic, and garam masala are cooked in oil until golden and aromatic. Half this tempering is stirred into the cooked dal and vegetable mixture to combine flavors, with the rest used as a garnish. The cooking results in a thick, spiced stew which can be mashed for smoothness or left chunky, delivering a comforting, richly seasoned dish.
This dish can be cooked alternatively in a saucepan by simmering the ingredients until tender. The dhana jeera powder is homemade from toasted coriander and cumin seeds blended with warming spices, an important flavor element. Nutritionally, it offers protein from lentils and vitamins from vegetables, making it a filling vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
Dal and Veggies:
- 3/4 cup split dal combination of red lentils(masoor dal and yellow lentils(mung dal) or toor and moong dal, total quantity
- 2 cups vegetable such as cauliflower, eggplant, zuchhini, opo squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, broccoli etc, chopped, heaped
- 1 cup leafy greens such as spinach, fresh fenugreek leaves, mustard leaves, chard or amaranth, packed, chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger minced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green chile hot, minced
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp dhana jeera powder or 1/2 tsp garam masala + 1/2 tsp coriander powder + a good pinch of ground cloves
Tempering:
- 1 tsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 3/4 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 cup onion chopped, heaped
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garam masala or more as needed
Instructions
- Soak the dals for 15 mins to half hour. Drain and combine in a pressure cooker/Instant pot with the vegetables, and the rest of the ingredients under Dals and Veggies(ginger, garlic, spices)and 2.5 to 3 cups water. Cook for 3 minutes on manual (high pressure). Let the pressure release naturally.
- Meanwhile, make the tempering. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add mustard and cumin seeds and let them start to pop. Add onion and garlic and cook until golden, stirring occasionally. (a heavy bottom pan, a good pinch of salt and stirring at regular intervals gives an even golden onion). Add garam masala and mix in .
- Once the pressure has released, open the lid. At this point you can mash the veggies and lentils for a more traditional version..
- Mix in half the tempering into the lentil vegetable mixture in the Instant Pot. Taste and adjust salt and heat(cayenne). Add more salt and garam masala if needed. Garnish with the remaining half tempering, cilantro and lemon juice and serve.
- Serve with rice, flatbread, toasted bread or garlic bread, garlic naan and kachumbar salad (cucumber tomato onion salad).
Notes
- Dhana jeera powder is prepared by slow roasting coriander and cumin seeds, then blending with cinnamon, clove, and black pepper to create a flavorful spice mix.
- The dal and vegetable mixture can be partially cooked in a saucepan over medium heat for 25-30 minutes as an alternative to pressure cooking.
- Adjust salt and garam masala after cooking and before serving to balance flavors.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 274 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 274kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 16g | 32% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Sodium | 706mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 941mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 19g | 76% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1405IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 63.4mg | 70% |
| Calcium | 92mg | 9% |
| Iron | 5.1mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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