The first one comes from a good friend of mine who not only taught me how to make this dish, he proceeded to take me to an Indian market and we spent over an hour walking around while he was describing what everything was and how to use. Wonderful knowledge -- and yes he can cook -- he's a bachelor and would rather cook for himself than to eat out!! Thank You J.
Mung Dal ----
1 cup of dal mung -- or moong dal (yellow lentils)
1/2 cup of dal masoor (ordinary common red lentils)
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large tomato or 4 med/small roma tomatoes
4 Tablespoons butter
2 T oil
2 tsp of Dal Curry Mix - shan dal curry seasoning - I only use a couple of tsp, but the girls like it pretty mild, so feel free to add more after you taste it.
6 cups or more if need water
chopped fresh cilantro if desired
In a large frying pan, melt the butter and oil, fry the onions (and with all that fat, it's frying) on medium heat for 5 minutes or so. Stir in the curry mix and the minced garlic, fry for another 5 minutes or so. The oil will appear to separate.
Add the lentils, tomatoes and 4 cups of water. Continue to cook at a medium simmer until lentils are tender and the tomato has broken down, adding more water if needed to make a thick stew consistency and to keep from sticking on the bottom of the pan.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with cilantro.
If you get it too spicy a little yogurt, cream, or sour cream can be added to tone down the spice.
We like to eat it over rice with pita bread or naan if you can find it. Or better yet, make your own. Homemade pita is super easy and yummy.
I've included links to where you can get these ingredients online -- but I've also found them at Earth Fare, or sometimes an Asian Market if you don't have an Indian market. Here in Asheville, you can get them at the Asian market on Hwy 70, close to the mall.
Here's another online source -- http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Indian-Food-Shan-Dal-Curry-Mix.html
This is so yummy, and you can't mess it up. I've made it with more and less of the curry. Larry likes it spicy, and the girls don't. I also tried it with regular lentils and it was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLinda -- you're so right -- you can also add more or less of the tomato, it's just whatever is one hand. I've also made it with canned tomatoes, although not as good, still yummy.
ReplyDelete