Sri Lankan Dal With Coconut and Lime Kale

"Red lentils are the king of weekday cooking," said Meera Sodha, the British cookbook author. In this robust dish, she turns to quick-cooking red lentils, deepening their flavor with fried green chiles, garlic and ginger. It's not traditional to serve the kale on top, but it turns a simple dish into a luxurious, complete meal: Just add hot rice and a spoonful of yogurt on the side.

• Yield 4 to 6 servings
• Time 55 minutes

 Ingredients

• 1 pound red lentils
• 3 green cardamom pods
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 small white onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• ¾ inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated (about 1 tablespoon)
• 2 green finger chiles or Serrano chiles, stemmed and finely sliced
• Scant 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 large bunch kale (about 9 ounces)
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 lime, juiced
• 7 ounces (3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) canned coconut milk
• Yogurt, for serving
• Rice, for serving

Preparation

1. Wash the lentils in a strainer in cold water until the water runs clear, then place in a medium bowl, cover with water and set aside. Bash the cardamom pods with the side of a knife so they crack open.
2. Put 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil into a large pot over medium heat. When hot, add the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and cloves. Fry for a minute, then add the onions. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are browning and soft. Add the garlic, ginger and green chiles and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove a third of the mixture from the pot and set aside. (Leave the cinnamon stick behind.)
3. Drain the lentils and add to the pot, along with the turmeric and 4 1/4 cups of hot water. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once they are boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and creamy.
4. While the lentils are simmering, chop the kale into thin strips and discard the thicker stems. Put the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil into a lidded frying pan (keep the lid off for now) over medium heat and, when hot, add the mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to pop, add the reserved onion mixture and fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the kale, shredded coconut and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Stir-fry for 1 minute, add 1/4 cup of hot water and put the lid on to steam the kale for 2 minutes, or until soft and tender. Add the lime juice and stir.
5. When the lentils are soft and creamy, add the coconut milk and remaining salt and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from the heat, and pick out and discard the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. To serve, ladle into bowls and divide kale over the top. Serve with a side of yogurt and rice.

Doubled everything except lentils, water, coconut oil & milk, kale and salt. (Did not use chilis.) Tripled the mustard seeds to 1½ tsp. Came out great! 2 tbsp. oil total was plenty (especially with the coconut fat in the reduced fat coconut milk). For the first time ever with a recipe, I added more salt (2½ tsp). Just keep tasting and seasoning the dal - the lentils must absorb and diffuse the flavors. Took 3+ hours to make. Next time I'll slice the onions with a food processor to gain time.