Black Dal with Spiced Squash & Cashew Chutney

Black Dal with Spiced Squash & Cashew Chutney

Garam masala adds flavour – fast. Sprinkled over butternut squash and roast till soft and golden. Stir it into black lentil dal, filled with fragrant ginger. Pair the duo with a lemony and herby cashew chutney featuring chilli and fresh-cut mint.

Prep in 10 1/3 daily fibre 5 of 5 a day Low sat fat

Serving size

Cook time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Indian
Food group: Vegan
Allergens: Nuts, Mustard

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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

  1. Preheat the oven to 240C / fan 220C / gas mark 9. Cut the squash into 1cm thick slices, discarding the seeds. Cut 1 onion into 6 wedges. Place both onto a lined baking tray and toss with 1 tbsp oil, half the garam masala, a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Roast for 20-25 mins, until soft and golden.
  2. Finely dice the remaining onion. Heat a frying pan with 1 tsp oil on medium heat. Add the cashews and toast for 2-3 mins, tossing regularly, until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the diced onion, mustard seeds and ginger and garlic paste to the pan. Cook for 3-4 mins, then add the lentils, tomato puree and remaining garam masala. Cook for 1 min, then pour in 200ml hot water (100ml for 1 person). Simmer for 4-5 mins, until slightly thickened. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.
  4. Make the chutney. Pick the mint leaves from the stalks and finely chop. Finely dice the chilli (remove the seeds for less heat). Halve the lemon. In a small bowl, combine the mint, chilli (to taste), cashew butter and juice from half the lemon. Season with sea salt and stir to combine.
  5. Remove the tray from the oven and roughly mash half the roasted squash and onion. Stir the mashed veg, 1 tbsp of chutney and spinach into the dal. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
  6. Serve the dal with the remaining roasted vegetables on top. Garnish with the chutney, cashews and remaining lemon the side.

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