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Easy Tadka Dal (Lentils)

Author: Shayma Saadat

Ingredients

  • 1.5 teacup red lentils (masoor or Lens culinaris)
  • 1/2 teacup yellow moong lentils (the variety with husk/skin removed), found in Pakistani / Indian grocery stores
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • pinch turmeric powder (haldi)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp tomato sauce/passata/canned diced tomatoes or 1/4 fresh tomato, chopped, skin removed1
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 6 teacups boiling water, add more for the consistency of your liking

Tarka (optional)

  • 2-3 tbsp sunflower oil (or any other neutral-scented oil, except olive oil)
  • 1 tsp zeera; cumin seeds
  • 1 whole garlic clove, sliced very thin and wide
  • 1 long, dried red chili (found in Pakistani / Indian grocery stores) optional

Garnish

  • fresh coriander/cilantro leaves stems and leaves chopped fine

Instructions

  • Plonk into a medium-sized heavy bottomed pan, (I use a 6 qt stockpot): lentils, salt, haldi, cayenne pepper, garlic clove, tomato sauce and boiling water.
  • Place it on a low-medium flame, cover with lid, but not completely, so as to allow some steam to escape, otherwise the lentils will overflow- you don't want a yellow protein mess on your stovetop.
  • Let it simmer for 30 minutes. You will see that the two breeds of lentils will finally become a velvety puree, indistinguishable from each other; this means it is ready. Smoosh the garlic clove with the back of your ladle, it will blend right in.

For the tarka

  • Heat the oil in a frying pan, once the oil is hot, add garlic, dried chili pepper and cumin. As soon as the garlic turns a nutty brown, remove from the stove and pour over the lentils. Take care, it may splatter.Stir and sprinkle with fresh coriander.

Serving options

  • With Basmati rice, (see my recipe here);
  • With chapati or naan; or
  • As a soup, with some lemon squeezed in with dollops of yogurt.

Notes

1. (Don't worry about opening a brand new can for these ingredients, they can be omitted; you won't be compromising on the flavour of the end result).