Best 3 Spiced Red Lentil Dal Recipes

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Aromatic and flavorful, spiced red lentil dal is a delightful vegetarian dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. Originating from the Indian subcontinent, this dal is prepared using red lentils, a variety of spices, and fresh herbs. The lentils are simmered in a flavorful broth made with tomatoes, onions, and garlic, resulting in a creamy and comforting dish that is packed with protein and fiber. Spiced red lentil dal is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit different tastes and preferences, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a healthy and delicious meal.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

MASOOR DAL (SPICED RED LENTILS)



Masoor Dal (Spiced Red Lentils) image

What I have come to understand is that how food looks as you prepare it can make as much difference to the cook as it does, on the plate, to the person who gets to eat it. When the skies are drab and life feels a little gray, I am absurdly cheered by the fresh brightness of a vibrantly orange dal, a red lentil stew spiced with turmeric, chili and ginger, and colored with sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Just seeing that mixture in the pan lifts my spirits. It helps that a dal is simple to make: a bit of chopping and the stew all but cooks itself. And it can be made in advance and then reheated, always a bonus. This dal makes a wonderful, exuberant partner to broiled salmon, but I love it without meat, too, when I partner it with my "bright rice."

Provided by Nigella Lawson

Categories     easy, side dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 1/2 cups (10 ounces, about 1 medium) finely diced sweet potato
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Thai or bird's-eye red chili
1 cup red lentils
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup canned chopped tomatoes
Salt
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Pieces of coconut flesh from a fresh coconut (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat oil, and sauté onion until softened. Add sweet potato, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add minced ginger and garlic; stir, and reduce heat to low.
  • Finely dice chili, keeping seeds if you wish to add more heat. Add chili, lentils, coriander, cumin, turmeric and ground ginger to pan. Stir until lentils are well coated with oil. Add tomatoes and 4 cups water. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat until mixture is at a fast simmer. Cook uncovered until lentils and potatoes are soft, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
  • Season to taste with salt, and continue to simmer until mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes. Whisk dal to amalgamate lentils and sweet potatoes. If dal is too soupy, increase heat and cook for a little longer.
  • To serve, place dal in a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. If desired, shave thin strips of fresh coconut on top. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 195, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 299 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams

RED LENTIL DAL



Red Lentil Dal image

An easy Red Lentil Dal recipe. This traditional Indian dish is usually served with basmati rice or Indian bread.

Categories     Food Processor     Onion     Rice     Side     Quick & Easy     Lentil     Vegan     Cilantro     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onions
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups water
1 cup dried red lentils*
3/4 teaspoon turmeric
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup basmati rice,* cooked according to package directions
2 plum tomatoes, seeded, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeño chili, seeded, chopped
*Available at Indian markets and in many supermarkets.

Steps:

  • Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup onion and 1 minced garlic clove and sauté until tender and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside. Combine 3 cups water, lentils, remaining 1 cup onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, turmeric, cumin and ginger in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer half of lentil mixture to processor; purée until smooth. Return purée to same saucepan. Mix in sautéed onion mixture. Simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Spoon rice into bowls. Spoon dal over. Top with tomatoes, cilantro and chili.

SPICED UP RED LENTILS(MASOOR DAL)



Spiced up Red Lentils(Masoor Dal) image

Please don't sub brown lentils for this, the red lentils have a very different texture. Serve with rice and lemon wedges. Adapted from The Best International Recipe Cookbook. I have provided a varitation using coconut milk.

Provided by Sharon123

Categories     Lentil

Time 50m

Yield 4 main dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to desired heat level)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 -5 garlic cloves, minced (about 4 tsp.)
1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
4 cups water or 4 cups vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups red lentils, rinsed
3 large plum tomatoes, cored, seeded, chopped (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
salt & freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Mix the spices in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat until it shimmers. Add the spices and saute until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Stir in onion and cook till softened, 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger and cook till fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Now stir in the water and lentils. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the lentils are tender and resemble a coarse puree, 20-25 minutes. (At this point, you may refrigerate the lentils in an airtight container up to 2 days. Reheat over medium low heat before continuing).
  • Stir in tomatoes, cilantro, and butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving. Enjoy!
  • Variation:.
  • Substitute 1 cup coconut milk for 1 cup of the water and omit butter. Using coconut milk makes for a lush, creamy texture and rich flavor. Don't use light coconut milk. You can freeze any leftover coconut milk.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 316.8, Fat 10.8, SaturatedFat 4.4, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 15.1, Carbohydrate 41.9, Fiber 7.8, Sugar 2.5, Protein 16.1

Tips:

  • For a thicker dal, use less water or cook for a longer period of time.
  • If you don't have any garam masala, you can substitute a mixture of ground cumin, coriander, and black pepper.
  • To make the dal vegan, omit the ghee and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Serve the dal with rice, naan, or roti.

Conclusion:

Spiced red lentil dal is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its vibrant flavors and aromas, this dal is sure to become a favorite in your household.

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