Dal Lentil Curry Recipes

DAL RECIPE (INDIAN RED LENTIL CURRY)

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils well until the water is clear and drain in colander. Tip: If using other yellow lentils instead of red lentils, then soaking in water for about an hour will help.
• In a medium cooking pot take the drained red lentils, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, sliced garlic, turmeric, water and bring it to a boil.
• Lower the heat and cook it for about 30 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue to cook until most lentils start breaking down, become a bit mushy and turn into a thick sauce like consistency.
• Cook the dal until it reaches a consistency that is thinner than what is desired, because it will thicken further after cooking.

RED LENTIL CURRY

Steps:

• Wash the lentils in cold water until the water runs clear. Put lentils in a pot with enough water to cover; bring to a boil, place a cover on the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, adding water during cooking as needed to keep covered, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onions in hot oil until caramelized, about 20 minutes.
• Mix curry paste, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, salt, sugar, garlic, and ginger together in a large bowl; stir into the onions. Increase heat to high and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato puree, remove from heat and stir into the lentils.

CAROL'S DAL CURRY (CURRIED LENTILS)

Steps:

• Cover bottom of saucepan with vegetable oil.
• Fry onion about 5 minutes, add cilantro and continue frying over medium heat, until onion is golden.
• Add tomato and let get a little soft.
• Add rest of ingredients, including spices (add spices according to your taste!) and let simmer for about 30 minutes.

DAL - LENTILS WITH CURRY

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and saute until almost tender, then add garlic and ginger, stirring until fragrant.
• Add curry powder and stir for one minute.
• Add lentils and stir, then add stock and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to lowest setting and simmer for 20 to 45 minutes, until lentils are very soft, adding more stock if necessary. Watch carefully and stir, so it doesn't burn on the bottom. Lentils should be mushy.
• Add salt and pepper and cilantro,if using, and enjoy.
• To serve as a soup add additional stock and other cooked vegetables such as peas and carrots. Cooked chicken may also be added.

DAHI DAL (YOGURT LENTIL CURRY WITH SPINACH)

Steps:

• Put the moong dal in a pan with the measured boiling water, salt, turmeric and ginger. Bring to the boil, then cover and cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the spinach, cover again and cook for another 5 minutes until the lentils are soft and the spinach has wilted.
• Meanwhile, heat the ghee in a frying pan, add the onions and cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes until golden, then stir in the chile powder. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Once the lentils are ready, blitz to a purée with a hand blender or in a blender or food processor. Return to the pan, if necessary, and bring to the boil. Then take off the heat, add the yogurt and mix well. Transfer the dal to a serving bowl, top with the fried onions and serve.