Kale Dal Soup
70 Min
DF
GF
NF
V

Kale Dal Soup

Of all the wide variety of lentils in India, split green peas that are fairly common here in America are not so in India. With roots in ancient China, soups make with green split peas were sold by street vendors in Greece and Italy going back to the 4th and 5th centuries. Split peas are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in fiber and a wonderful source of plant protein but what really makes them special is their delicious flavor. You can boil them and serve them cold or warm salads or turn them into a dal or a stew. Meats like sausage and ham are commonly added to the lentils to give it a meaty flavor. Here, they get the Indian treatment however, they are finished with an entire bunch of minced kale. Steamed in with the dal and all its tangy spices softens the kale to a much more palatable bite and adds even more nutrition to the legumes. 

Share this recipe
Cook Time

1 Hour and 10 Minutes

Serves

4

Step 1
Rinse the split peas 2 to 3 times in tap water, then soak in 3 to 4 cups of water for 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Drain. Combine with 4 cups of water in a stockpot and over high heat, bring the lentils to a boil. Turn the heat down, skim off any foamy residue that may have risen to the top, cover and continue cooking the lentils for another 30 to 40 minutes or until the lentils are completely soft. Turn the heat off and let them rest.
Step 2
In a small frying pan over high heat, warm up the olive oil and pop the cumin seeds. Immediately, add the onions and cook on medium heat until they are translucent and golden brown ~ roughly 7 to 8 minutes. Then add the garlic and the red chiles. Continue cooking the mixture for another minute, making sure the onions are not burning.
Step 3
Once the lentils are soft and ready and have come to a creamy finish, add the ginger, kale and cabbage and bring the dal to a slow boil. Add the cumin onion mixture and as soon as the dal starts to bubble, turn the heat off.
Step 4
Just before serving, add the cilantro and fresh lime juice.

1 cup dry split green peas


4 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 cup minced red onions

1 teaspoon minced garlic

10 to 12 dried or fresh small red chiles


1 tablespoon unpeeled minced ginger

1 bunch of kale, bottom 3 inches discarded then sliced

1 cup of purple cabbage, thinly sliced

1/2 bunch of cilantro, bottom 3 inches discarded then minced

Juice of a lime (optional)

Notes & Variations

  • Add 3 to 4 pieces of chicken on the bone to this soup. Add the chicken with the lentils while cooking them. Compost the bones and at the end add the shredded meat.
  • For a creamier finish, add 1 cup of coconut milk when adding the onion masala.
  • This soup can be enjoyed on its own or with simple boiled rice.
Tags:
70 Min
DF
GF
NF
V

KALE YOU BELIEVE IT?

It doesn't belong on just salads - although it's delicious that way too.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.