Indian Malay Dhal Recipes

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.

INDIAN DAHL WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Rinse lentils and soak for 20 minutes.
• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and stir in salt, lentils, turmeric and chili powder. Cover and return to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook 5 minutes, or until lentils are soft. Add more water if necessary.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and saute onions with cumin and mustard seeds, stirring often. Cook until onions are transparent, and then combine with lentils. Stir in garam masala and coconut milk and cook until heated through.

MALAYSIAN-INDIAN DALCHA

Steps:

• Soak the cashews and almonds in 4 oz water overnight or for at least four hours. Blend the nuts and liquid in an electric blender until smooth, remove to a bowl and set aside.
• Rinse the blender container with water before blending the garlic and ginger with two tablespoons water until smooth. Set aside.
• Using an electric spice or coffee grinder, grind the coriander, cumin and fennel seeds as finely as possible, then set aside.
• Combine the two dals in a bowl and wash in several changes of water. Drain and place in a large lidded pan with 7 cups water and bring to the boil. With a slotted spoon skim off any scum that rises to the surface, then add the turmeric and stir. Partially cover the pan with its lid, then reduce heat to low. Simmer gently until the dal is tender, then remove from heat and set aside. This should take around 30 to 40 minutes, although if using Australian yellow split peas it may take up to 1 1/4 hours.
• Heat the oil or ghee in a large, preferably non-stick, lidded pan. When hot add the cinnamon, cardamom pods and cloves. Stir once then add the sliced onion, and saute and stir for 4 - 5 minutes until the onion softens and begins to brown.
• Add the chopped mint and stir once before adding the aubergine and potato. Stir for 2 minutes.
• Next add the garlic-ginger paste and cook, stirring, for a minute.
• Add the cooked dal, coconut milk, 2 cups water, the ground spices and salt, and simmer very gently, partially covered with the lid, for 30 minutes.
• Finally, stir in the nut paste, tomato, tamarind paste and chillies and simmer gently, uncovered, for 10 minutes. The consistency should be quite thick - add a little water if you feel it is too thick.
• For a special treat, you can melt extra ghee and pour over the top of the curry before serving.

INDIAN DHAL

Steps:

• Wash lentils thoroughly, remove any that float on the surface, drain well.
• Heat ghee and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is golden brown.
• Add turmeric and stir well.
• Add drained lentils and fry for a minute or two, then add hot water and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils are half cooked.
• Add salt and garam masala, mix well and continue cooking until lentils are soft and the consistency dsimilar to porridge.
• If there is too much liquid leave the lid off the pan to speed evaporation.
• Serve plain or garnished with sliced onion.

INDIAN MALAY DHAL

Steps:

• Wash the lentils then leave to soak in a bowl of water for a few minutes. Discard those that float on the surface. Drain well and set aside.
• Heat oil in a fry pan or pot then fry onion, garlic and ginger until the onion softens and turns golden brown.
• Add turmeric and mix well. Add lentils and fry for a minute or two. Add in carrots, potatoes and broccoli if using.
• Add hot water, bring to boil then reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are half cooked. Add salt to taste and garam masala.
• Continue cooking until lentils are soft, some water is evaporated and the consistency is similar to porridge. If the curry is too watery, continue boiling without the lid.