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Red Lentil Dal (Masoor Dal) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 106 reviews

A comforting and flavorful Red Lentil Dal (Masoor Dal) recipe featuring tender lentils cooked with aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and finished with a zesty lemon juice. This traditional Indian dish is easy to prepare on the stovetop and pairs wonderfully with steamed Basmati rice or Indian breads like naan or roti.

Ingredients

Scale

Lentils and Base

  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp ground turmeric
  • 4 cups water

Tarka (Seasoned Tempering)

  • 3 Tbsp ghee or oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 fresh green chili (jalapeño or Serrano), seeded and minced
  • 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Additional Flavorings

  • 15 oz can diced tomatoes with their juices
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • Juice of one lemon
  • Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
  • Chopped tomato (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Lentils: Place 4 cups of water in a medium saucepan and add the rinsed lentils, salt, and turmeric. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook covered until lentils are tender and mostly liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare the Tarka: While the lentils cook, heat ghee in a 10-inch deep skillet or medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and fry until they start popping, about 1 minute. Add diced onion and minced green chili; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add Aromatics and Tomatoes: Mix in the minced ginger and garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices. Simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add garam masala, stir well, then remove from heat.
  4. Combine Lentils and Tarka: Remove the lid from the cooked lentils and stir. If too watery, simmer uncovered until thickened to your preference. Stir the prepared tarka into the lentils. Add lemon juice and taste; adjust salt as needed.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped cilantro and optional chopped tomato on top. Serve warm alongside steamed Basmati rice and Indian bread such as naan or roti.

Notes

  • Adjust the green chili quantity based on your preferred spice level.
  • Ghee can be substituted with your choice of oil to make the dish vegan.
  • Lentils can be rinsed thoroughly to reduce any grit and improve digestibility.
  • Adding lemon juice at the end brightens the flavors without overpowering the dish.
  • For a thicker dal, simmer uncovered for a longer time after cooking.

Keywords: red lentil dal, masoor dal, Indian lentil recipe, vegetarian Indian recipe, gluten free dal, easy dal recipe, Indian comfort food

Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/red-lentil-dal-masoor-dal-recipe/