Spinach & Liver Dhal

Here’s a spicy and comforting lentil dhal that features two good sources of iron – liver and spinach.

Iron is essential to maintaining good health, energy and stamina, with iron deficiency often cited as a cause of fatigue. It is particularly important in pregnancy, when the body’s demand for it increases.

Served up with warmed flatbreads for dipping, this will satisfy your tastebuds, as well as helping your body get what it needs to maintain drive and focus.

Servings

6 good adult portions.

Timings

About 30 – 40 mins to prepare and cook.

You Will Need

• a swig of vegetable oil
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 – 5 mushrooms, chopped
• 1 celery stick, chopped
• 500g pork liver or lamb’s liver
• 1 400g can of chopped tomatoes
• 2 – 3 tomato can’s worth of cold water
• a squidge of tomato puree
• a swig of Worcester Sauce
• 200g red lentils
• 400g spinach
• some warmed flatbreads, to serve

Method

1. Heat the oil in a wok and add the spices. When sizzling, add in the onion, mushrooms and celery.
2. Chop the liver into small pieces, removing and discarding any tough bits. Add the chopped liver to the wok and stir.
3. When the liver is browned, add in the chopped tomatoes, water, puree and Worcester Sauce. Then add the lentils and stir.
4. Wash the spinach, then gradually add it to the wok in large handfuls. At first, it will look as if there is too much, but it will soon wilt down as you immerse it in the liquid. Continue until all of it is in the dish.
5. Let the wok simmer away for a further 15 – 20 mins. The lentils will soften and thicken while the liquid is reducing, resulting a in a rich warming sauce. Stop when it reaches the consistency you like.
6. Grill the flatbreads on either side for a few minutes, then serve them with the dhal, scooped into a bowl (see my main photo above).

Customise It!

Feel free to add in other vegetables you like and/or have to hand. Chopped carrots and peppers will go down a treat. Most veg will go, really.

So if your iron levels, energy and drive are a little low, a bowl of this dhal may help restore them to more of a high. You may be thinking this all sounds like an elaborate ploy for me to feature Lo/Hi, one of my favourite tracks by Ohio’s The Black Keys, and add it to the ADK Playlist. Mmm er, yes that’s about right!