Fuel8

Dinner

Tarka Dal with Roasted Cauliflower

A plain dal finished with sizzled garlic and cumin, with a tray of charred cauliflower on top. 20 g of protein for 347 kcal.

Calories
347kcal
Protein
20g
Fat
8g
Carbs
50g

Per serving, makes 2. 15 minutes of work, then 25 minutes roasting and simmering. Published 8 September 2026.

Allergens

None of the fourteen declared allergens is in the ingredient list as written.

Flags follow UK labelling rules and come from the ingredients as listed, not from any particular brand. Check the packet before cooking for somebody with an allergy.

Ingredients

  • Red lentils120 g

    Dry weight.

  • Cauliflower350 g

    Cut into small florets so they colour in the time.

  • Rapeseed oil12 g
  • Onion100 g
  • Chopped tomatoes, tinnedA quarter tin (100 g)
  • Garlic3 cloves, about 9 g

    Sliced thinly. It goes in the hot oil at the end, not the pot.

  • Ground cumin1 tsp of seeds if you have them
  • Ground turmericHalf a tsp
  • Chilli flakesA pinch
  • Fresh corianderA handful
  • Lemon juiceA squeeze

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Method

  1. Heat the oven to 220°C. Toss the cauliflower with a third of the oil, salt and the turmeric, and roast for 25 minutes until the edges blacken.

  2. Meanwhile simmer the rinsed lentils with the chopped onion, tomatoes and 500 ml of water for 20 minutes until soft. Salt at the end and add the lemon.

  3. Heat the remaining oil in a small pan, add the garlic, cumin and chilli flakes and fry for 30 seconds until the garlic is just golden.

  4. Pour the sizzling oil over the dal, pile the cauliflower on top and scatter the coriander.

Worth knowing

  • The tarka is the whole point. Garlic fried until it is golden, not brown, or it turns bitter and there is no rescuing it.
  • No rice, so this is a lighter dinner at 347 kcal. Add 150 g of cooked rice for another 195.

Other dinner recipes that share ingredients with this one, or every dinner between 300 and 450 calories a serving.

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Macros are calculated from the weights listed above using standard food composition values, and will shift with your own brands and measuring. Weigh what you can. This is a recipe, not dietary advice. The full health disclaimer is below.