Fauzia's Kitchen Fun

Borohowa/Coconut Lentils

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Borohowa/Coconut Lentils

Borohowa/Borohoa is an East African lentil dish. What makes it different and, in my opinion, tastier than other kinds of lentil dishes is that this version incorporates coconut milk in the recipe. The results are therefore richer, creamier and incredibly delicious. The dish is served over plain rice or with bread/chapatis/parathas and sometimes a side of meat or fish.
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup split lentils any kind that you have on hand
  • 1 tbsp. oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • 1 garlic clove chopped
  • 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
  • water as needed
  • salt to taste
  • 2 green chillies chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy coconut milk
  • 1 cup light coconut milk
  • 1/4 tsp. garam masala

Instructions
 

  • Wash then soak the lentils for about 30 minutes to an hour. Then rinse them off one more time and put the lentils in a pan, add water (NO SALT, adding salt toughens the lentils) and simmer on medium heat until the lentils are tender. You can then drain off the excess water and set the lentils aside.
    Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions and fry until golden brown. Then add the roughly chopped tomatoes, green chillies and garlic. Stir until the garlic gets fragrant and the chopped tomatoes are somewhat softened. Then add the drained lentils, turmeric, cumin powder and some salt. Cook for a few minutes until the lentils are well coated with all the spices.
    Next add the light coconut milk, turn the heat down and simmer for about 20 minutes. You can add a touch of water if needed at this point. Then blend everything to a rough textured consistency, the charm of this rustic dish is to keep it slightly chunky and not super smooth. But if you prefer it smoother you can absolutely grind it to your liking. Turn the mixture back into the pan and add the heavy coconut milk. Adjust for salt and add a squeeze of lemon juice and the garam masala. Simmer on very low heat for about 5 minutes and then turn off the heat.
    Enjoy! 🙂

Join the Conversation

    1. Please google split lentils
      Please google split lentils to see the images. Basically means grains that have the peel removed and then they are split in half.

  1. Can we use the normal coconut
    Can we use the normal coconut milk we get in the cans ?? Rathet than having to buy 2 different types ??

    1. You do not need to buy two
      You do not need to buy two different types. Just dilute the milk in the can by adding either warm water or milk to make ‘light’ coconut milk. And use directly from the can for ‘heavy’ coconut milk.

  2. Salam…ur recepies r awasme.
    Salam…ur recepies r awasme..i tried peri peri chickn n it ws amazing…jst geting confuse pls clearify wht is d differnce between heavy coconut milk n light coconut milk..pls…thanx alot..

    1. W/Salaam, thank you! Please
      W/Salaam, thank you! Please refer to my comment above with regard to your question.

  3. Slm i tryed bun it came out
    Slm i tryed bun it came out very nc n soft kids liked it very much jazakallah

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