Charred Corn Dal
Photography: LAURA EDWARDS
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Charred Corn Dal

Dals are known for their satisfying and warming properties, but equally for their versatility. This would be delicious served as is or with some warmed garlicky flatbreads as part of a fragrant feast.
Photography: LAURA EDWARDS

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Serves
4
Total Time
45 Minutes
Ingredients
Olive oil, for cooking
2 whole corn on the cob
2 banana shallots, finely sliced
4 garlic cloves, finely sliced
about 10g of fresh ginger, finely sliced
1 small red chilli (remove seeds for less spice)
1 tsp of ground turmeric
1 tsp of ground coriander
1 tsp of nigella seeds, plus extra to garnish
½ tsp of cumin seeds
½ tsp of mustard seeds
150g of red lentils
1 × 400g tin of coconut milk
Vegetable stock
100g of cherry tomatoes
Juice of ½ lemon
10g of coriander, stalks & leaves separated
100g of yoghurt
Juice of 1 lime
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Method
Step 1

Heat a heavy-based griddle pan over a high heat. Add a little oil, and when nearly smoking add the whole sweetcorn.

Step 2

Turn the sweetcorn frequently until they have a good char on the outside. This works even better if done over a barbecue.

Step 3

If cooking over fire you can make the dal over the flame too, just make sure you let it die down a little. Once the sweetcorn is charred, set aside.

Step 4

Heat a little olive oil in a heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown and softened.

Step 5

Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a further few minutes. Add all the spices and cook for another couple of minutes until toasted.

Step 6

Add the lentils, coconut milk and stock. Chop the tomatoes in half, then add to the pan too. Season well, cover and cook for 20-30 minutes until the lentils have softened, stirring frequently.

Step 7

Slice the corn off the cobs and stir into the dal with the lemon juice. Season to taste. You may need to add a little more veg stock to thin, if required.

Step 8

Finely chop the coriander stalks and stir into the yoghurt along with the lime juice. Season to taste.

Step 9

When ready to eat, pour the dal into bowls and spoon over the yoghurt mixture. Garnish with the coriander leaves and some more nigella seeds.

Supper by Flora Shedden (Hardie Grant, £22) Photography ©Laura Edwards

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