Sauté the onion in the oil until transparent, add the spices, except the garam masala, and sizzle for a minute or two.
Add everything else to the pan, except the garam masala and the coconut, and simmer gently for 20 minutes, until the lentils are melting.
Click here to start a 20 minute timer
Now add the coconut powder and the garam masala, a tsp of salt and lots of ground pepper. Coconut milk doesn’t seem to like being boiled and will split. You could use the same weight of creamed coconut, or a tin of coconut milk in place of the coconut milk powder. If you use a can of coconut milk, reduce the water by 400ml, to 300ml
Notes
50g value rice per person, 2pThis will freeze beautifully, and can be used on its own, with rice, pasta, roast potatoes, with any other curry, as a side dish with plain chicken or fish. It would be lovely with a pile of mixed roasted veg.