Recipe

Spicy Indian Lentil Dal

Spicy Indian Lentil Dal

Photo by monica's spicediary

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Lentils
  • Chef

    monica's spicediary's Notes: Dal is such the constant in any Indian household. Typically eaten with chappati or roti, “dal roti” can be compared to “bread and butter” in terms of how much of a fundamental dish it is in...

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Serves 4

  1. Wash both dals and place in a pressure cooker. Add water so it is about 1″ above the dal. Add salt to taste and turmeric powder. Cook until 1st “whistle” goes off and turn off heat. (If you do not have a pressure cooker, you can also boil the dal in a pan).

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  2. Whilst the dal is cooking heat oil and butter in a pan. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. When they begin to sizzle, add the onion and chilli.

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  3. Cook until slightly golden and add the garlic and ginger. Let it cook until slightly brown and add the salt, garam masala and paprika.

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  4. Add the plum tomatoes. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes or until oil begins to separate from masala.

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  5. Once the dal is ready, remove from heat and carefully release steam from pressure cooker and add it to the masala.

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  6. Mix the masala with the dal. Add the water and stir well. Add the coriander. Check for salt and adjust accordingly.

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  7. If you think the dal is too thick you can add a little water at this point. Bring dal to boil and you’re done! Best served with rice :)

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6 Comments on Spicy Indian Lentil Dal

Dsc_0382 Reply

monica - re the 1/4 can plum tomatoes - is it 1/4 of a 28 ounce can, or a smaller can? Thanks so much. I'm looking forward to making this soon.

Reply

Can't wait to try, I wish this was dinner tonight with a piece of nan.

Mug2012 Reply

Love all the spices in the recipe!

Monkeys Reply

Monica, this looks delicious. What color are each of the lentils?

Mo Reply

Hey thanks! The masoor dal is orange and the moong dal is yellow (it's skinless moong).

Monkeys Reply

thank you! Rice and beans sounds so good right now!

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