Garlicky Dal (Savory Lentils)

Time

Prep 10 min · Cook 55 min · 65 min total

Difficulty

medium

1. 1

   Pick over dry dal for grit; rinse a couple of times and drain. Bring to boil about 3 cups water in a 2-quart saucepan.

2. 2

   Add dal to hot water. Stir in salt and turmeric powder. (Water can boil over when dal is added; lower the heat as needed.) Partially cover and simmer on medium heat until dal is tender, 30 to 45 minutes.

   45 min
3. 3

   To sauté, heat the oil in a small skillet on medium heat. Add cumin seeds; as soon as they change color (few seconds), add garlic and onions.

4. 4

   Stir, sprinkling little water if needed, until onions are golden brown. Add ginger and remaining seasonings (except tomatoes and garam masala); stir for a couple of minutes.

5. 5

   Add tomatoes and cook for another minute. Mix the sautéed seasonings into the cooked dal and continue cooking on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes until dal is thickened.

   10 min
6. 6

   Add garam masala. Serve hot, garnished with green coriander. Optionally sprinkle lemon juice.

7. 7

   Variation 1: Use brown lentils, peeled yellow Mung, peeled light yellow Urad, or split dark yellow Toor (or a mix of them).

8. 8

   They take about 3 cups of water to 1 cup of dry dal and only 30 to 40 minutes to cook. Variation 2: Use whole green Mung, whole black Urad, whole dark brown Masoor, whole yellow brownish Toor, or split yellow Chana (or a mix of them).

   40 min
9. 9

   They take 3 to 4 cups of water to 1 cup of dry dal and longer to cook (about 1 hour). (Takes 4 to 5 hours in slow cooker, 25 minutes in pressure cooker.) Healthy Alternative: Add some vegetable stock or 3 tablespoons of Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) when dal is half cooked.

Notes and swaps

Allergens

Not assessed yet. Check each ingredient if you have an allergy.