7 day vegan challenge: red lentil dhal and tandoori chickpeas recipe

MAKES TWO PORTIONS

Ingredients 
*olive oil, for cooking
*1 leek, green and all, chopped
*3 garlic cloves, chopped
*2 medjool dates, torn into pieces
*1 tablespoon turmeric
*1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
*100 g red lentils
*250 ml boiling water
*400 ml coconut milk
*1 large handful of fresh spinach
*salt and freshly cracked black pepper
*plant yoghurt, to serve
*sourdough bread, toasted, to serve

For the crispy chickpeas
*240 g drained tinned chickpeas
*1 tablespoon tandoori spice mix
*1 tablespoon olive oil

Method1

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas 4) and line a baking sheet with baking parchment.

2. To cook the crispy chickpeas, put the drained chickpeas in a bowl with the spice mix and olive oil and mix so they are well coated.

3. Scatter them on the prepared sheet and pop in the oven for about 20 minutes until golden and crunchy.

4.Meanwhile, heat a little olive oil In a large frying pan and fry the leek, garlic, dates and spices for a good 5–10 minutes until soft.

5. Add the lentils and boiling water and simmer for about 15 minutes until the water has been absorbed.

6. Add the coconut milk and season with salt and pepper to taste, then simmer for another 10 minutes until the lentils have a lovely creamy texture.

7. Once it’s ready, ladle in a handful of spinach and top off with crispy chickpeas, a dollop of plant yoghurt and toasted sourdough for scooping.

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Extracted from 7 Day Vegan Challenge by Bettina Campolucci Bordi (Hardie Grant, £15) Photography © Nassima Rothacker