Ismail Merchants Lemon Lentils Nimbu Masoor Dal Recipes

LEMON LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat 3/4 cup of the oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium-low heat. When hot, add the sliced onions and cook stirring until they soften. Add the cinnamon, lentils, and ginger to the pan and cook, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add the stock and 5 cups hot water, salt to taste, and cayenne pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer about 10 minutes. Add the lemon juice and squeezed shell and cook about 50 minutes longer, stirring often. Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a small pan and add the chopped onion, garlic, chile, and bay leaves. Cook, stirring until the onion is browned. Add this mixture, including the oil, to the lentils. Sprinkle with the chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.

SABUT MASOOR DAL (SPICED BROWN LENTILS)

Steps:

• In a large (about 6-quart) pot, add 7 cups of water, the whole masoor dal and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, cover and cook on as high heat as possible until tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
• In the meantime, prepare the masala: In a medium-sized (8-inch) frying pan, heat ghee over medium heat for 30 to 45 seconds or until melted. Add onion, ginger and garlic, and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Add cumin, chile powder, turmeric and coriander. Mix well. Stir in tomatoes, add salt and Thai green chiles. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and the oil separates (it will form an outline around the jammy tomato), about 10 minutes.
• Remove 1 cup water from the pot of dal with a ladle (remove more if you want the dal to be thicker, or less or none of you prefer it thinner). Stir the masala from the frying pan into the pot of dal. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, or for 10 minutes for more tender dal. Turn off the stove, and stir in lemon juice. Sprinkle with garam masala and cilantro. Serve with rice, roti or by itself.

ISMAIL MERCHANT'S LEMON LENTILS (NIMBU MASOOR DAL)

Steps:

• Heat 6 tablespoons oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium-low heat. Add sliced onion and cook, stirring, until tender. Add cinnamon sticks, dal, and ginger. Cook, stirring often, 10 minutes. Add stock, 2 cups water, red chili, and salt to taste. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Squeeze juice from lemon. straining seeds, and add lemon juice and lemon to lentils. Cook 50 minutes, stirring often. Add up to one cup more water, if dal dries out too much. Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in small pan. Add chopped onion, garlic, chile and bay leaves. Cook, stirring, until onion is browned. Add mixture to lentils and stir. Remove bay leaves. Turn into serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve hot.