# Mild Red Lentil Dhal: IDDSI Level 5 recipe

Canonical: [https://followyourswallow.com/recipes/mild-red-lentil-dhal-level-5](https://followyourswallow.com/recipes/mild-red-lentil-dhal-level-5)

Level 5: Minced & Moist | 35 min | Serves 4

## Family version

- Red lentil dhal
- Rice
- Naan
- Cilantro

## Level 5 ingredients

- 220 g red lentils
- 700 ml smooth low-sodium stock
- 150 ml coconut milk
- Mild ground spices
- Commercial thickener as needed

## Method

1. Cook the lentils until they are extremely soft and break down with gentle fork pressure.
2. Process briefly so every soft particle is 4 mm or smaller, then pass out any firm skins or spice pieces.
3. Adjust with coconut milk or thickener until the dhal is moist, cohesive, and free of thin liquid separation.
4. Run the particle-size, fork pressure, and spoon tilt checks. Serve without separate rice, naan, or garnish.

## Equipment

Pot, immersion blender, fork and spoon for testing

## Practical tip

Ground spices give flavor without leaving whole seeds or tough herb pieces in the bowl.

## Before serving

Run the appropriate IDDSI fork and spoon tests on the finished serving. Recipes guide the preparation; only testing confirms how the serving behaves.

## Safety

Use only the food and drink levels prescribed by the person's qualified clinician. Test the actual serving before it is eaten or drunk.