Masoor Dal
May 14th, 2008 by ashvattha
A Comforting Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Masoor Dal or Split Red Lentils (washed thoroughly)
- 1 red onion medium sized, sliced in thin long slices
- 1 firm red tomato chopped fine
- 2-3 Green Chilies chopped
For Tempering
Panch Phoron or Panch Puran (a Bengali Five Spice Mix): 1 and ½ tsp
For Garnish
Lime Juice ~ 4 tsp of fresh lime juice
Corriander Leaves~ 3-4 sprigs
Oil
Salt to taste
Sugar: 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder: ½ tsp
Method
Soak overnight or pressure cook the 1 cup Masur Dal with 2 and ½ cups of water and a pinch of turmeric. Once it is cooked mix it well with a whisk. The time to cook depends on your cooker. I use a Futura which needs 3 minutes after the full steam build up.
Heat oil and add the panch phoron, or as we say temper with Panch Phoron. You can also use Kalo jeera/Kalonji/Nigella Seeds if you do not have Panch Puran. Add the finely sliced onions and fry till they turn pink in color. Add the chopped green chillies.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook till they become a fine pulp
Add the previously cooked dal.
Mix well.
Add salt, sugar and about 3-4 cups of water.
If you feel you need to add more water do so.
Cook till you hear a nice bubbling sound. Remember to stir infrequently during this process.
Also continue cook till the thickness of the dal is according to your liking.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and lime juice.
Posted by Sandeepa at 2/27/2007 08:44:00 PM
