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Tarka Dhal(spiced Lentils)

Name: Tarka Dhal(spiced Lentils)
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 150g/6oz Masoor dhal(RED SPLIT LENTILS); 750ML/1¼ PINT WATER; 1 tsp Ground turmeric; 1 tsp cumin - ground; 1 tsp salt; 25g/1oz Ghee or unsalted butter; 1 medium onion. finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic cloves. finely chopped(more if you love garlic); 2 dried red chillies; a few sprigs fresh coriander

Over a year ago 1,589 views

Cook: 60 mins

Main Course

Ingredients

150g/6oz Masoor dhal(RED SPLIT LENTILS)
750ML/1¼ PINT WATER
1 tsp Ground turmeric
1 tsp cumin - ground
1 tsp salt
25g/1oz Ghee or unsalted butter
1 medium onion. finely chopped
2 cloves garlic cloves. finely chopped(more if you love garlic)
2 dried red chillies
a few sprigs fresh coriander

Accompaniment

Method

1
1.First, wash the lentils, Put them along with the water, turmeric, cumin and salt into a saucepan and bring to the boil.(use a big saucepan)

2. Reduce the heat to medium and cook UNCOVERED for 8-10 minutes,stir frequently. skim the froth off that forms on the top.

3.Now COVER the pan and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. The lentils should be soft, remove from heat, leave to cool slightly then either mash with a masher, through a seive or the easy way, a stick blender. Its up to you how smooth or textured you have it.

5.NOW THE TARKA BIT>> Melt the ghee or butter over a meduimish heat and fry the onions,garlic and red chillies until the onions are well and truly browned.(You can add the spices at this point instead of putting them in with the water.)(8-15 minutes)Stir frequently, dont allow to burn.

6. Stir half the onion mixture into the dhal,Finely chop the coriander and stir this in then decant to a serving dish, finish off with the remaining onion mixture spooned on the top.

This recipe makes the nicest tarka dhal, you can serve it as a side dish or just have on it's own with bread, my kids ate masses of it as babies(minus the chillie at first).If youre looking for comfort food with a difference this is it, I could live on it( with extra garlic!!), and it'sooo cheap.I triple the ingredients and make a huge pot, it may not look that great but tastes fantastic.