Sri Lankan braised roots stew & coconut dhal dumplings

5-a-day curry dumplings fibre folate sri lankan stew vegan vegetarian

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Ingredients

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp mustard seeds

6 curry leaves

1 onion , finely sliced

1 leek , finely sliced

3 garlic cloves , 1 sliced, 2 minced

2 chillies , deseeded and finely chopped

2 celery stalk , diced

1 tbsp roasted curry powder (see below)

400ml can chopped tomatoes

2 raw beetroot , peeled and cut into batons

3 parsnips , sliced

3 carrots , sliced

400ml can coconut milk

100g split red lentils

1½ tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tbsp curry leaves

75g self-raising flour

½ green chilli , finely chopped

½ red onion , finely chopped

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp red chilli powder

80g desiccated coconut

½ lime , juiced

10g basmati rice

20g coriander seeds

15g cumin seeds

10g black peppercorns

5g fenugreek seeds

3g cloves

seeds from cardamom pods

sliced spring onion

fresh coriander leaves

Method

To make the curry powder: In a dry frying pan, toast the rice until it’s browning, then add all the spices and toast for 3-5 mins until darkish brown but not burned. Blitz it all in a spice grinder, or crush with a pestle and mortar, then pass through a sieve into a jar or airtight container. Will keep for 2-3 weeks.

Heat the oil in a wok. Scatter in the mustard seeds and curry leaves. When they sizzle, add the onion, leek, garlic, chilli, celery and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring, for 8-10 mins until the onion starts to colour. Add the curry powder and cook for 1 min more, then add the tomatoes, veg, coconut milk, a tsp of salt and 200ml water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 10-15 mins until the veg are tender.

For the dumplings, boil the lentils in a pan of water until just cooked, then drain. Melt the coconut oil in a pan, then add the mustard seeds and curry leaves and cook until sizzling. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Put the lentils, flour, chilli, onion, spices, desiccated coconut, lime juice and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Mix with your hands until combined, then add the coconut oil and aromatics and mix to a dough. Form into 12 dumplings, then put on top of the stew, cover with a lid and cook on low for 5 mins. Top with pepper, coriander and spring onion to serve.