Creamy black dhal with crispy onions

Name: Creamy black dhal with crispy onions
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 6 h 35 min
Total time: 7 h 10 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 250g black urid beans (also called urid dal, urad dal, black lentils or black gram beans - available from large supermarkets) - yellow split peas also work well; 100g butter or ghee; 2 large white onions halved and thinly sliced; 3 garlic cloves crushed; thumb-sized piece ginger peeled and finely chopped; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp paprika; ¼ tsp chilli powder (optional); small bunch coriander stalks finely chopped, leaves reserved to serve; 400g passata or chopped tomatoes; 1 fat red chilli pierced a few times with the tip of a sharp knife; 50ml double cream; cooked rice naan bread or baked sweet potatoes; coriander; sliced red chilli; lime wedges; yogurt (or a swirl of cream); your favourite Indian pickle or chutney; crispy salad onions (to make your own, see recipe below)

Instructions

Prep:35minCook:6h 35min

This super-satisfying, slow cooker curry is packed with iron and fibre. Serve with a choice of tasty garnishes to turn your simple supper into a warming feast

Updated at: Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:28:40 GMT