Balti Tarka Dhal Recipes

A FANTASTIC TARKA DHAL RECIPE

Steps:

• Pour about 400ml of water over your lentils in a sauces pan and simmer over medium high heat until tender. Remove any foam that forms on the top. Cooking the lentils should take about 25 minutes.
• While your lentils are cooking, melt the ghee in a frying pan and add the curry leaves, cumin seeds and cinnamon stick.
• Stir in the chopped onion and fry for about 5 minutes until browned.
• Add the chopped garlic, garam masala and turmeric and stir it into the hot ghee..
• Pour the most of the ghee mixture (the tarka) over the lentils and stir it all in. Leave some to garnish.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with the remaining tarka.

TARKA DHAL

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils several times until the water runs clear, then tip into a saucepan with 1 litre water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 mins, skimming the froth from the top. Cover with a lid and cook for a further 40 mins, stirring occasionally, until it's a thick, soupy consistency.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat the ghee or oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, then fry the onion and garlic until the onion is softened, so around 8 mins. Add the turmeric and garam masala, then cook for a further minute. Set aside.
• Tip the lentils into bowls and spoon half the onion mixture on top. Top with the coriander and tomato to serve.

BALTI CHICKEN WITH TARKA DHAL

Steps:

• Mix together the split peas and the lentils, cover with water and cook till soft and mushy.
• In the meantime heat the oil in a wok and fry the onions till golden. Stir in the garlic, ginger , turmeric, chilli powder, garam masala, ground coriander and salt.
• Stir well and add the chicken and fry for 6 mins.Add 11/2 tbsp of the fresh coriander leaves, green chilli, lemon juice and the water cook for 5 minutes.
• Mix in the lentils (dhal),tomatoes and the remaining coriander leaves. Turn off the heat.
• Heat the oil in a small pan and add the cumin seeds, when they start to pop add the garlic, red chillies, and the curry leaves, cook for 1 minute Pour over the the chicken and lentils and serve.

TARKA DAL

Steps:

• Put the lentils and water into a pan, stir well and bring to the boil. Skim off any froth that forms on the surface of the water with a spoon. Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are just tender, adding more water as necessary.
• When the lentils have cooked through, remove the pan from the heat, and use a whisk to break down the lentils. Set the mixture aside to thicken and cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, and fry for 20 to 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the onion, chiles, and ginger, and fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Blend the garlic and tomatoes to a puree in a food processor. Add the puree to the pan, and stir well to combine. Add the turmeric, garam masala, coriander, and 3 1/2 ounces of water to the pan, and stir well to combine. Season the mixture with salt, to taste, and simmer over a medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the oil from the sauce has risen to the surface of the sauce.
• Add the cooked lentils to the sauce, and stir well, adding more water as necessary, to loosen the mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, and season, to taste, with salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the chopped cilantro just before serving.