BENGALI SWEET AND SOUR LENTILS

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Bengali Sweet and Sour Lentils image

A very delicious dal to ring the changes. I tend to add less sugar than called for, but the degree of sweetness counteracting the tangy tamarind is a personal preference. Creamed coconut is sold in a firm block. Adapted from a recipe by Beverley Leblanc

Provided by Daydream

Categories     Curries

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 1/4 cups channa dal
1 quart water
2 bay leaves, torn (or curry leaves)
3 fresh chili peppers, slit to remove seeds, but left whole
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon asafoetida powder
2 -3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
3/4 inch fresh gingerroot, finely chopped
1 ounce creamed coconut, grated
1 fresh green chile, seeded if desired, and chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons tamarind paste
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
salt, to taste
1 tablespoon ghee, melted
1 teaspoon garam masala
fresh cilantro, chopped

Steps:

  • Rinse lentils thoroughly under running water, and remove any foreign matter.
  • Combine the lentils and water in a large pan (which has a lid) and bring to the boil, skimming off the foamy scum as necessary. When the scum has ceased rising to the surface, stir in the bay leaves, chilies, turmeric and asafoetida.
  • With the lid half covering the pan, let the lentils simmer gently for around 40 minutes, or until tender and the water is absorbed.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add the onion and ginger and saute, stirring frequently, for 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the grated creamed coconut, green chili, sugar, tamarind paste, garam masala, cumin and coriander, and stir for around 1 minute.
  • When the lentils are tender, add the sauteed coconut/spice mixture and stir around to mix thoroughly. Taste and add salt, as necessary, and extra sugar or tamarind as desired.
  • Transfer the dal to a serving dish, drizzle the hot ghee over the top, and sprinkle with the garam masala and cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 418.8, Fat 19, SaturatedFat 7.7, Cholesterol 8.2, Sodium 30.3, Carbohydrate 52.5, Fiber 12.4, Sugar 16.4, Protein 13.7

Zabih afridi Khan
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This is a delicious and healthy dish. The lentils are a good source of protein and fiber, and the tamarind sauce is packed with antioxidants.


lewis young
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I'm always looking for new ways to cook lentils. This recipe is a great addition to my collection. It's easy to make and very flavorful.


Aqash Kayani
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This dish is a great way to use up leftover lentils. I often make a big batch of lentils on the weekend, and then I use them to make this dish during the week.


rhonda Debose
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I love the unique flavor of this dish. The tamarind sauce is the perfect complement to the lentils. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone who loves Indian food.


Andleeb Sajid
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This recipe is a keeper! I've made it several times, and it's always a hit. The lentils are always cooked perfectly, and the tamarind sauce is delicious.


Nabakka Cate
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I made this dish for my family, and they all loved it! Even my picky kids ate it without complaint. I'll definitely be making this again.


Sthembiso Jobs
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I'm a vegetarian, and I'm always looking for new and exciting recipes. This dish is a great addition to my repertoire. It's packed with flavor and very satisfying.


Dhiren Rawal
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This is my go-to recipe for Bengali sweet and sour lentils. It's easy to make and always turns out delicious. I love the combination of sweet, sour, and tangy flavors.


lldontgetmadll
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I love this recipe! The lentils are always cooked perfectly, and the tamarind sauce is so flavorful. I often serve this dish with rice or roti.


Cadarrius Hillary
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This recipe was a bit too time-consuming for me, but the end result was worth it. The lentils were cooked perfectly, and the tamarind sauce was delicious. I would recommend this recipe to anyone who has a little extra time to spend in the kitchen.


nikolai Rodriguez
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I followed the recipe exactly, and the lentils turned out perfectly. The tamarind sauce was a bit too sour for my taste, so I added a little bit of jaggery to balance it out. Overall, this is a great recipe that I will definitely be making again.


Chandra Bahadur Kunwar
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This dish was a hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved the unique flavor combination. The tamarind sauce added a wonderful depth of flavor to the lentils. I would definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a delicious and easy-to-make veg


Santa Sikdar
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I'm not usually a fan of lentils, but this recipe changed my mind. The combination of sweet, sour, and tangy flavors was amazing. The lentils were cooked perfectly, and the tamarind sauce was the perfect finishing touch. I'll definitely be making thi


Masila Isaac
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This Bengali sweet and sour lentils recipe was a delightful culinary journey! The flavors were perfectly balanced, with a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and tangy notes. The lentils were cooked to perfection, retaining their shape while becoming te


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