Dals Recipes - Red Lentils Recipe

Ingredients

• 250g/9 oz/1 1/2 cups red lentils, soaked for 1 hour

• pinch of ground turmeric

• 2.8l/5 pts/12 cups water

• salt

• 60ml/4 tbsp ghee or oil

• pinch of asafoetida

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds

• 1.5ml/1/2 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1.5cm/1/2 in ginger root, chopped

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp ground red chili

• 2.5l/1/2 tsp garam masala

• pinch of ground turmeric

• 225g/8 oz canned tomatoes, chopped

Garnish

• 15ml/1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

• 2.5ml/1/2 tsp garam masala

• 1 small green chili, chopped

---

Method:

1. Place the lentils, turmeric, water and salt in a pan, bring to the boil and skim off any scum. Simmer over a medium heat for 1 1/2 hours.

2. Meanwhile, heat the ghee in a heavy-based pan and fry the asafoetida, fenugreek and cumin seeds until brown. Add the garlic, ginger, spices and tomatoes and fry until all the water has been absorbed and the ghee appears on the top.

3. Stir in the cooked dal and simmer for a further 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the garnish ingredients and serve hot with rice, okra, aubergine and matar paneer.