Dal As We Like It Recipes

DAL - AS WE LIKE IT!!

Steps:

• Boil the dal in the water it soaks in with the next 8 ingredients, in a vessel or pressure cooker till cooked (my pressure cooker takes 1 whistle to cook the dal) In the meanwhile keep the rest of the ingredients ready.
• When the dal is cooked heat a tblsp of oil in a kadai/ vessel Add the asafetida and the mustard, cumin and curry leaves in quick succession.
• Add the garlic as soon as the mustard splutters.
• Then add the onion slices and fry till light brown.
• Then add the stock cube and saute.
• When you get the aromas add the chopped tomato and then the spice powders.
• Add the cooked dal and stir to mix well.
• When heated through add the lime juice.
• (One tsp at a time Taste and add some more if you feel like it you can go beyond 2 tsp if your taste buds give you the go ahead) Garnish with coriander leaves (we really add a lot of these but I have only put and serve hot over rice).
• Try a dry meat dish as an accompaniment.

SPICY INDIAN DAHL

Steps:

• Cook the lentils by boiling or pressure cooking until lentils are soft. (Pressure cooking is faster.)
• In a skillet heat the oil and add mustard seeds. When mustard seeds begin to flutter, add onions, ginger, jalapeno peppers, and garlic. Saute until the onions and garlic are golden brown. Add coriander and cumin. Add chopped tomatoes. Saute the mixture well until tomatoes are well cooked.
• Add water. Boil 6 minutes. Add cooked lentils, stirring well. Add salt to taste, stirring well. Add finely chopped cilantro and remove from heat. Serve hot.

EASY DAL

Steps:

• Clean and wash the lentils thoroughly. Put them in heavy-bottomed 3-4 quart pot, add 5 cups water, and bring to a boil. Remove the froth and scum that collects at the top. Now add the garlic, ginger, fresh coriander (or keep it and use it as a garnish at the end), turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Cover, leaving the lid very slightly ajar, lower heat, and simmer gently for about 1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionaly. When dal is cooked, add the salt and lemon juice (it should be thicker than pea soup, but thinner than cooked cereal.
• In a 4-6-inch skillet or small pot, heat the vegetable oil or ghee over a medium-high flame. When hot, add the asafetida and cumin seeds. As soon as the asafetida sizzles and expands and the cumin seeds turn dark (this will take only a few seconds), pour the oil and spices over the dal (lentils) and serve. (Some people put the dal in a serving dish and then pour the oil and spices over it.).
• To serve: Serve with plain rice and a vegetable for a simple meal. Most meat and chicken dishes go well with this dal. Since some people like to squeeze extra lemon or lime juice on their dal, serve some wedges separately. Note: Finely sliced onion rings, fried until brown and crisp, are often spread over the dal as a garnish before it is served.