Red Lentil Dal

By á-49444

Ingredients

• 3 cups red lentils (masoor dal)
• 1 medium yellow or red onion, roughly chopped
• 1 cup tomatoes, canned or fresh, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon black or yellow mustard seeds
• 1/2 medium red or yellow onion, finely chopped
• 15 to 20 fresh or frozen curry leaves (optional but worth seeking out)
• 1 14-oz can coconut milk

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large saucepan, combine the lentils, coarsely chopped onion, tomatoes, cayenne, ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and salt. Add 7 cups of water and bring to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils begin to break down.

2. In a frying pan, warm the vegetable oil over medium to high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and the mustard seeds. Cover the pan and wait briefly until the mustard seeds begin to pop. Then add the finely chopped onion and the curry leaves and cook, stirring to prevent the leaves from burning, until lightly browned.

3. Add the curry leaf mixture to the lentils along with the coconut milk. Cook for another 10 minutes or so, until the flavors have melded.