Seasoned Dhal _masala Dhal_ Recipes

SEASONED DHAL

Steps:

• In a large bowl wash the dhal in several changes of water; drain. Place the dhal and 2 1/2 cups water in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered, for 30 minutes (45 minutes for yellow split peas), or until the water is absorbed and the peas break up under pressure from the back of a sppon. Check to make sure it doesn't boil over.
• When the dhal has finished cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the mustard seeds to the oil and heat until they pop. When the popping subsides, toss in the dried red chili and curry leaves. After a few seconds, add the onion and fry until light brown. Put in the garlic and fry 1 minute. Next, add the ground masala and fry for another minute. Stir this mixture into the dhal, along with 1/2 cup water and the salt. Partially cover and continue simmering another 10 minutes, adding more water if the mixture is too thick. It should be the consistency of thick pea soup. Remove from the heat.
• Stir in the lemon juice and ghee. Taste for salt.

SEASONED DHAL (_MASALA DHAL_)

Steps:

• Bring lentils and 3 cups water to a boil with turmeric in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then gently simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until falling apart, about 20 minutes.
• When lentils are cooked, heat oil in a small heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then cook mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and red pepper flakes until mustard seeds begin to pop and/or turn gray and cumin seeds brown, about 1 minute. Stir spice mixture into lentils with coconut milk, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt and bring to a simmer.

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 MASOOR DAAL

Steps:

• Rinse lentils thoroughly and place in a medium saucepan along with ginger, turmeric, salt and cayenne pepper. Cover with about 1 inch of water and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that forms on top of the lentils. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and soupy.
• Meanwhile, in a microwave safe dish combine oil, dried onion and cumin seeds. Microwave on high for 45 seconds to 1 minute; be sure to brown, but not burn, onions. Stir into lentil mixture.

MIXED DHAL

Steps:

• Mix the lentils together in a large bowl and wash in several changes of water.
• Heat the ghee in a large, heavy-based, preferably non-stick saucepan, and add the onion, garlic, ginger and chili.
• Cook, stirring, until onion is soft, and starting to brown.
• Add the seeds and powdered spices, and cook, stirring until fragrant.
• Add the lentils along with the undrained tomatoes and stock, and stir to combine.
• Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about one hour, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
• Add small amounts of water from time to time if the mixture appears to be sticking, or is too thick before the lentils soften.
• Add the coconut cream and cilantro just before serving, stirring and heating through over low heat.