Vegan Butter Chick’n, Red Lentil Dahl, Roasted Cauliflower, Vegan Naan Bread & Basmati Rice
Indian food was always a favourite go-to takeout meal in winter but when I jumped onto the plant-based bandwagon, it wasn’t an option anymore. It had been years since I had Indian food and with the cold November wind upon us (and the election looming) I needed a distraction and some comfort food in equal measures.
So, here is my easy vegan Indian feast with Naan menu: Vegan Butter Chick’n, Red Lentil Dahl, Roasted Cauliflower, Vegan Naan Bread, Basmati Rice. You’ll need approximately 2 hours tp prep, but I start the dough and rice in advance then go and do other things until about 40 min before dinner.
EASY-PEASY RED LENTIL DHAL
½ cup dry red lentils
2 cups water
I avocado oil
1 onion minced
2 garlic cloves
1 Tbs tomato paste
2 Tbs canned diced tomato
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp turmeric
1 tsp curry powder
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp ground ginger
2 tsp salt
Vegan Naan Bread
VEGAN NAAN BREAD
(Adapted from Minimalist Baker)
3/4 cup warm water
1 tsp active yeast
1 tsp organic cane sugar
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
1 tsp fine sea salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp plain coconut dairy-free yogurt
2 Tbsp olive or avocado oil
Roasted Cauliflower
Apple, Lime & Cardamom Water
Vegan Butter Chick’n
VEGAN BUTTER CHICK’N
(Adapted from Minimalist Baker)
2 Tbs vegan butter
1 large onion, minced
1 Tbs grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs garam masala
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
2 ounces tomato paste
1 can coconut milk
Choice of protein: I used a package of Tofurkey Chick’n but you can use chickpeas, sweet potato, cauliflower or tofu.
STEPS: START YOUR NAAN DOUGH
Mix 3/4 cup warm water and yeast and sugar. Stir and set aside until frothy and foamy - about 10 minutes.
While you wait for yeast to froth, add flour, salt, and baking powder to a large mixing bowl or food processor.
Check yeast mixture, if its foaming, add the vegan yogurt and oil and combine. Add to dry ingredients and mix until it forms into dough.
Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 30 seconds. Grease bowl and place dough back in and cover with damp cloth for 2 hours. Place bowl onto oven (this works well for a warm spot for your dough to rise once you start to roast your cauliflower!)
STEPS: START YOUR BASMATI RICE IN YOUR RICE COOKER (Make your rice at same time as dough and leave to stay warm until ready to serve)
STEPS: ROAST CAULIFLOWER
Cut cauliflower into flowerets, place on being sheet and lightly sprinkle with favourite oil and salt and roast for approx 40min in a pre-heated oven at 350F
STEPS: VEGAN BUTTER SAUCE
Melt the 2 tablespoons of vegan butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion, then add the ginger, garlic, and add the spices, salt, tomato paste and coconut milk. Stir until smooth and combined, then simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add Tofukey brand chick’n or whichever vegan protein of choice. Simmer on low until ready to serve.
STEPS: SOAK YOUR RED LENTILS
Soak your lentils in 1 cup water for 30 mins.
In a saucepan add the oil and saute onion and spices, tomato paste, and canned tomato.
Add soaked lentils and two cups water and simmer on low until ready to serve.
STEPS: FRY NAAN
Remove dough from bowl and turn onto a floured surface. Knead for 30 seconds and divide into 6 pieces.
Knead each ball a few times andplace back into bowl to let rest covered for another 10 minutes.
Heat frying pan for approx 10min. Take a dough ball roll out on a lightly floured surface into an oval. Lightly brush a little vegan butter and fry each piece, pressing with spatula to flatten. Brush a little more vegan butter and slip onto other side. Cook for a minute or until the edges of the dough look cooked. Fry each piece and set aside.
FINAL STEP: Plate each dish as you wish! Serve ‘family style’ or portion each individual plate and sprinkle lots of coriander.
This meal was voted ‘better than takeout’ in my house and I hope it gets the same rating in yours!
BONUS: APPLE LIME CARDAMOM WATER
I drink tons of water with my meals, but for special occasions, I like to mix up a a water concoction like this delicious Apple Lime Cardamom water — simply slice one apple, one lime and add a tbs of cardamom pods to a pitcher of water and let sit for approx 12 hrs or overnight.