Indian Red Lentil Dal (Dahl) with Garnish

Step 1: Wash the Dal

Place 1 cup of red lentils in a pot. Wash the lentils thoroughly under running water, stirring with your hand and draining the cloudy water. Repeat this process a couple of times until the water runs clearer.

Step 2: Add Water, Turmeric, and Oil

To the washed lentils, add 2.5 cups of water and 0.5 teaspoon of turmeric powder. To prevent the dal from boiling over, add about 1 teaspoon of cooking oil on top without stirring it in.

Step 3: Cook the Dal

Place the pot on the stove over low to medium-low heat. Do not cover the pot. Let it cook until the lentils are thoroughly cooked and appear homogeneous. This will take approximately 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure water hasn't dried off; add more water if needed. If the dal is not homogeneous after cooking, you can use an egg beater or stirrer to mix it until smooth.

Step 4: Prepare the Garnish Ingredients

While the dal is cooking, prepare the garnish. Finely chop 1 medium onion. Peel and finely chop a 1-inch piece of ginger. Deseed and finely chop half a green chili. Wash and chop about 0.25 cup of fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves.

Step 5: Sauté Cumin Seeds

Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a separate pan over medium heat. Once the ghee is hot, add 1.5 teaspoons of whole cumin seeds. Stir the cumin seeds until they start to sizzle and release their aroma, which usually takes a few seconds.

Step 6: Sauté Ginger and Green Chili

Once the cumin seeds are aromatic, add the finely chopped ginger and green chili to the pan. Sauté for just a couple of seconds.

Step 7: Sauté Onions

Add the finely chopped onions to the pan. Sauté the onions until they are slightly browned and softened, stirring occasionally.

Step 8: Combine Garnish with Dal

Once the dal is fully cooked and the garnish is ready, add the sautéed onion, ginger, green chili, and cumin mixture directly into the pot of dal. The dal should still be on low fire. Stir well to merge all the flavors.

Step 9: Season with Salt and Cilantro

Add 1.5 teaspoons of salt to the dal and stir. Then, add most of the chopped cilantro to the dal, reserving a small amount for final presentation.

Step 10: Serve the Dal

Traditionally, dal is served hot over steamed rice. Garnish with the remaining fresh cilantro. It can also be accompanied by a vegetable dish and a salad for a complete meal.

• Do not cover the dal while cooking to prevent it from boiling over.

• Add a small amount of oil to the dal before cooking to further prevent boiling over.

• Chop ginger finely to avoid large pieces in the dal.

• Remove seeds from green chilies to reduce hotness, if preferred.

• Add chopped tomatoes or red peppers to the garnish for extra flavor and vegetables.