Best 3 Ismail Merchants Lemon Lentils Nimbu Masoor Dal Recipes

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"Ismail Merchant's Lemon Lentils Nimbu Masoor Dal" is a flavorful and authentic Indian dish that combines the tanginess of lemon with the comforting warmth of lentils. This classic recipe, inspired by the renowned filmmaker Ismail Merchant, offers a delightful blend of spices and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this easy-to-follow guide will walk you through the steps of creating this delectable dish, allowing you to bring the vibrant flavors of India into your own home.

Let's cook with our recipes!

LEMON LENTILS



Lemon Lentils image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h40m

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 medium-size onions, halved and thinly sliced
4 pieces cinnamon stick, each about 2 inches long
2 pounds masoor dal lentils, picked over and washed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
5 cups chicken stock
5 cups hot water
Salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Juice of 1 lemon, plus the squeezed, seeded skin and pulp
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
1 hot green chile, chopped with seeds
4 bay leaves, crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves

Steps:

  • Heat 3/4 cup of the oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium-low heat. When hot, add the sliced onions and cook stirring until they soften. Add the cinnamon, lentils, and ginger to the pan and cook, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add the stock and 5 cups hot water, salt to taste, and cayenne pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer about 10 minutes. Add the lemon juice and squeezed shell and cook about 50 minutes longer, stirring often. Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a small pan and add the chopped onion, garlic, chile, and bay leaves. Cook, stirring until the onion is browned. Add this mixture, including the oil, to the lentils. Sprinkle with the chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.

SABUT MASOOR DAL (SPICED BROWN LENTILS)



Sabut Masoor Dal (Spiced Brown Lentils) image

Traditional dal takes about an hour to cook. This recipe cuts that time in half by using high heat throughout the cooking process, removing extra water once the dal is tender and simultaneously cooking the masala. This kind of efficiency does require the use of two utensils, and it means watching a couple of burners at a time. It's worth the effort because in the end, there's the warmth of a big bowl of dal in around 30 minutes, a miracle when such comfort is most needed.

Provided by Zainab Shah

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup whole masoor dal, soaked for 10 minutes and drained
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup ghee or neutral oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste or freshly grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic paste or freshly grated garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chile powder, or any ground red chile
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
2 medium plum tomatoes, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 fresh Thai green chiles, stemmed and chopped
2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, from about half a large lemon
1/2 teaspoon garam masala, for garnish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Rice or roti, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large (about 6-quart) pot, add 7 cups of water, the whole masoor dal and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, cover and cook on as high heat as possible until tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  • In the meantime, prepare the masala: In a medium-sized (8-inch) frying pan, heat ghee over medium heat for 30 to 45 seconds or until melted. Add onion, ginger and garlic, and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Add cumin, chile powder, turmeric and coriander. Mix well. Stir in tomatoes, add salt and Thai green chiles. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and the oil separates (it will form an outline around the jammy tomato), about 10 minutes.
  • Remove 1 cup water from the pot of dal with a ladle (remove more if you want the dal to be thicker, or less or none of you prefer it thinner). Stir the masala from the frying pan into the pot of dal. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, or for 10 minutes for more tender dal. Turn off the stove, and stir in lemon juice. Sprinkle with garam masala and cilantro. Serve with rice, roti or by itself.

ISMAIL MERCHANT'S LEMON LENTILS (NIMBU MASOOR DAL)



ISMAIL MERCHANT'S LEMON LENTILS (NIMBU MASOOR DAL) image

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons oil
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks
1 pound masoor dal (orange lentils)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped ginger root
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon ground red chili
salt
1/2 lemon
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 small garlic clove, chopped
1/2 green chili, chopped, with seeds
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Steps:

  • Heat 6 tablespoons oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium-low heat. Add sliced onion and cook, stirring, until tender. Add cinnamon sticks, dal, and ginger. Cook, stirring often, 10 minutes. Add stock, 2 cups water, red chili, and salt to taste. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Squeeze juice from lemon. straining seeds, and add lemon juice and lemon to lentils. Cook 50 minutes, stirring often. Add up to one cup more water, if dal dries out too much. Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in small pan. Add chopped onion, garlic, chile and bay leaves. Cook, stirring, until onion is browned. Add mixture to lentils and stir. Remove bay leaves. Turn into serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve hot.

Tips:

  • Use red lentils for this recipe, as they cook quickly and hold their shape well.
  • Be sure to rinse the lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Add a bay leaf and a few cloves to the pot while cooking the lentils to enhance the flavor.
  • If you want a thicker dal, mash some of the lentils against the sides of the pot with a spoon.
  • Serve the dal with rice, roti, or naan bread.

Conclusion:

Lemon lentils, also known as nimbu masoor dal, is a delicious and nutritious Indian dish that is easy to make. It is a great way to use up leftover lentils, and it can also be made with dried lentils. This dal is a good source of protein, fiber, and iron, and it is also low in calories and fat. It is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, roti, or naan bread. Whether you are a vegetarian or meat-eater, you are sure to enjoy this flavorful and satisfying dish.

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