Cauliflower Dal
A dal is an Indian stew made from lentils or beans.  This flavorful version uses panch phoran, a whole spice blend containing equal parts of fenugreek, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, black mustard seeds, and nigella seeds.  You can find this blend in well-stocked spice shops, Indian markets, or online.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower broken into florets
 - 2 TBSP coconut oil canola oil would work fine as well
 - 1 1/2 cups red lentils rinsed and drained
 - 4 cups vegetable stock*
 - 1 medium onion diced
 - 1 TBSP tumeric
 - 1 1/2 TBSP panch phoran
 - 1/2 TBSP crushed red pepper or aleppo pepper optional
 - 1 jalepeno or other chile minced (optional)
 - 1 1/2 inch piece of ginger grated
 - 2 medium tomatoes diced (you could also use canned diced tomatoes)
 - salt and pepper
 - cilantro for garnish
 
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
 - Toss cauliflower florets with 1 TBSP coconut oil, salt and pepper and roast in oven for 15-20 minutes
 - Heat remaining TBSP of coconut oil on medium high heat; add panch phoran and stir until seeds begin to pop
 - When seeds begin to pop, add onion and saute for 3-5 minutes
 - Add chile and garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes
 - Add broth, lentils and tumeric and bring to boil
 - Cook at a simmer until lentils are soft and breaking apart, about 20 minutes
 - Add roasted cauliflower to lentils and continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until mixture and flavors are well combined
 - Season with salt, pepper, and chile flakes to taste and serve alone or over rice, garnished with cilantro
 
Notes
* I like Better Than Boullion No Chicken Base
Adapted from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen



