Red Lentil Dal – Indian Style
Recipe Summary
- This recipe guides you through making a flavorful and comforting red lentil dal, a staple in Indian cuisine. It features a aromatic base of sautéed onions, ginger, garlic, and curry powder, simmered with tomatoes and red lentils until soft and creamy, then finished with fresh coriander.
All Ingredients - Main Ingredients
- Onion 1
- Oil/ghee 2 tablespoons
- Ginger paste 1 tablespoon
- Crushed Garlic 1 tablespoon
- Curry powder 2-3 teaspoons
- Tomatoes 3
- Red/orange lentils 1 1/3 cup
- Water/stock 4 cups
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Coriander chopped
Tools You'll Need
- Pot
- Bowl
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Ghee?
- Unsalted butter (1:1)
- Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Onion
Chop one onion into small pieces.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a pot. Add the chopped onion and sauté for until it becomes translucent and slightly browned.
Step 3: Add Aromatics and Spices
Add 1 tablespoon of ginger paste, 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic, and 2-3 teaspoons of curry powder to the pot. Cook for , stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
Step 4: Prepare and Cook Tomatoes
Dice 3 tomatoes. Add the diced tomatoes to the pot and cook until they soften and break down, forming a sauce-like consistency.
Step 5: Rinse and Add Lentils
Rinse 1 1/3 cups of red or orange lentils under running water until the water runs clear, then drain them. Add the rinsed lentils to the pot with the tomato mixture.
Step 6: Add Liquid and Seasoning
Pour 4 cups of water or stock into the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together.
Step 7: Simmer the Dal
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for about . Open the lid and stir every to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Step 8: Finish with Coriander
While the dal is simmering, chop fresh coriander. Once the dal is cooked and the lentils are soft, turn off the heat. Add the chopped coriander to the pot and stir well.
Step 9: Serve
Serve the red lentil dal warm in a bowl.
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