Lentils With Curried Tarka Recipes

CURRIED LENTILS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring lentils to boil in plenty of water to cover in covered pot. Cook about 10 minutes, until soft. Drain and reserve liquid.
• Peel and coarsely chop onion and saute with garlic in hot oil until soft.
• Reduce heat and add coriander, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. Stir well.
• Add florets to the onion mixture with stock and tomato paste. Stir well to mix. Cover and cook until cauliflower is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in lentils, adding liquid from lentils if necessary to thin a little.
• Stir in cashews and serve with yogurt on the side.

LENTILS WITH CURRIED TARKA

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine lentils and liquid and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn heat down to medium-low so that mixture bubbles gently, cover partly and cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are just tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Add liquid as necessary to keep them a little soupy.
• Put butter in a skillet over medium heat until it is melted and foamy (or shimmering if using oil). Add scallions and lemon zest and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the curry powder and cook and stir for another minute or so. Add a large pinch of salt, some pepper and the cilantro leaves. Cook mixture (the tarka) for just another 30 seconds or so, then turn off heat.
• When lentils are cooked to desired tenderness, stir scallion mixture into the lentils. Dal should be moist but not soupy; if it is not, add more water and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning and serve.