Mild Red Lentil Dhal

Name: Mild Red Lentil Dhal (IDDSI Level 5)
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 220 g red lentils; 700 ml smooth low-sodium stock; 150 ml coconut milk; Mild ground spices; Commercial thickener as needed

Level 5: Minced & Moist · 35 min · serves 4

Mild Red Lentil Dhal prepared as an illustrative IDDSI Level 5 serving — Serving illustration. Follow the measurements below and run the IDDSI test before serving.

The family’s version

Red lentil dhal
Rice
Naan
Cilantro

The Level 5 version

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

Convert it

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

EquipmentPot, immersion blender, fork and spoon for testing

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

Before serving: run the fork pressure test on the finished plate. Recipes guide you to a texture. Only the test confirms it.

Run the guided test →

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