Red Lentil Dal With Charred Onions Recipes

RED LENTIL DAL

Steps:

• Blanch and chop the tomatoes: While the lentils are cooking in step 1, bring a separate small pot of water to a boil. Score the peel of the tomatoes with a sharp knife in the shape of an "X". Place the tomatoes in the boiling water and blanch for one minute. Remove the tomatoes to a bowl to cool. Once cool, peel the tomatoes and cut out and discard the tough stem end. Chop the tomatoes, or mash them, and set aside.

RED LENTIL DAL WITH CHARRED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp oil to the pan and swirl it to coat. Add onion to the pan and cook for 2 minutes or until charred. Carefully turn over the onion and cook 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Coarsely chop and set aside.
• Combine the mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook for 1½ minutes or until fragrant, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat. Place these seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, and the chile in a spice or coffee grinder and pulse until ground.
• Heat a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add remaining 2 tsp oil to the pan and swirl to coat. Add the ginger and garlic to the pot and saute 1 minute. Stir in the spice mixture and saute 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add the broth, lentils, and tomatoes to the pan. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and add onion. Cook 10 minutes more. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice.

RED LENTIL DAL WITH CHARRED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tsp oil in a large heavy cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes (not stirring) or until charred. Carefully turn the onion over and cook an additional 4 minutes or until charred.
• Remove from the heat and coarsely chop. Set aside.
• Combine the mustard seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seed and clove ina small skillet over medium heat. Cook about 1 1/2 minute until the mixture is fragrant, stirring frequently.
• Remove from the heat.
• Combine the mustard mixture, cinnamon, cardamom and chili ina spice or coffee grinder and pulse until ground.
• Heat remaining 2 tsp of oil in a small Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the ginger and garlic to the pan; saute 1 minute.
• Stir in the spices; saute 1 minute more.
• Add the broth, lentils, and tomato to the pan and bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Uncover and add charred onion, and cook 10 more minutes.
• Stir in cilantro and lime juice.
• Serve.

MASOOR DAL (SPICED RED LENTILS)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat oil, and sauté onion until softened. Add sweet potato, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add minced ginger and garlic; stir, and reduce heat to low.
• Finely dice chili, keeping seeds if you wish to add more heat. Add chili, lentils, coriander, cumin, turmeric and ground ginger to pan. Stir until lentils are well coated with oil. Add tomatoes and 4 cups water. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat until mixture is at a fast simmer. Cook uncovered until lentils and potatoes are soft, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt, and continue to simmer until mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes. Whisk dal to amalgamate lentils and sweet potatoes. If dal is too soupy, increase heat and cook for a little longer.
• To serve, place dal in a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. If desired, shave thin strips of fresh coconut on top. Serve hot.