Bengal Red Lentils With Spices Recipes

BENGAL RED LENTILS WITH SPICES

Steps:

• Bengal Red Lentils with Spices (Bengali Masar Dal) From Classic Indian Vegetarian and Grain Cooking, Julie Sahni 1. Pick, clean, wash and cook the dal using the red lentils, chilies, turmeric, salt and water. Put the ingredients in a deep pot; bring to boil. Stir often to make sure they do not lump together. Cook over medium heat, partially covered for 25 minutes. Cover, reduce heat, and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes or until soft. 2. While the lentils are cooking heat the usli ghee in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the onion and fry, stirring constantly, until golden brown (about 10 minutes). Add the ginger and tomatoes and continue frying until the tomatoes are cooked and the contents reduce to a thick pulp (about 8 minutes). Stir frequently to prevent sticking and burning. 3. Blend the fried onion-tomato paste and salt to taste into the dal; continue cooking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the flavors have blended in. Keep the dal on a low simmer while you make the spice-perfumed butter. 4. Measure the spices and place them right next to the stove in separate piles. Heat the usli ghee in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the panch phoron spice blend. When the mustard seeds are spaterring and the cumin turns a little darker (about 15 seconds), add the bay leaves and chili pods. Continue frying until the chili turns dark (15-20 seconds), turning and tossing them. Turn off the heat, add the garlic, and let mixture fry, sizzling for 25 seconds or until it looks light golden. Pour the entire contents of the pan over the dal, mix well, and serve. REC.FOOD.RECIPES From rec.food.cooking archives. Downloaded from G Internet, G Internet.

DAAL - BENGALI LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• wash and rinse lentils under running water several times, dumping out gritty water after each rinse.
• in medium pot boil lentils in 6 cups water for 20 minutes under medium heat, watch for foam that develops and may overflow out of the pot.
• in frying pan saute onions for 10 minutes or until translucent
• add garlic and spices to frying pan and sautee for 5 minutes more, careful not to burn garlic.
• add salt to lentil pot.
• transfer fried ingredients into lentil pot and let cook together for 5-10 more minutes.
• add fresh chopped cilantro at the end for an extra fresh taste.

SPICED UP RED LENTILS(MASOOR DAL)

Steps:

• Mix the spices in a small bowl and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat until it shimmers. Add the spices and saute until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Stir in onion and cook till softened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger and cook till fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Now stir in the water and lentils. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the lentils are tender and resemble a coarse puree, 20-25 minutes. (At this point, you may refrigerate the lentils in an airtight container up to 2 days. Reheat over medium low heat before continuing).
• Stir in tomatoes, cilantro, and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving. Enjoy!
• Variation:.
• Substitute 1 cup coconut milk for 1 cup of the water and omit butter. Using coconut milk makes for a lush, creamy texture and rich flavor. Don't use light coconut milk. You can freeze any leftover coconut milk.