Creamy Dal Recipes

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Add the sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice, milk and pudding mix, beating well after each addition. , Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Serve as a dip for fruit.

Steps:

• To make the dal, in a medium heavy saucepan, cover the dal with water. Swish the lentils around with your hand, then drain the water through a fine-mesh sieve. Return any dal from the sieve to the saucepan and repeat, washing, agitating, and draining, until the water runs absolutely clear. It will probably take 7 to 10 changes of water. Pour the 3 cups (710 ml) of water into the pot to cover the lentils. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, skim any scum that rises to the surface, then lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Add the turmeric and cook until the dal is quite creamy, 45 to 60 minutes. Stir the dal regularly as it simmers or it can catch at the bottom of the pan and burn. If the dal starts to look dry before the lentils are cooked, add hot water (from the tap is fine). Season well with salt.
• About 20 minutes before the dal is done, make the tarka. Melt the ghee over low heat. Fry the cumin seeds for maybe 1 minute, until sizzling and fragrant. Add the onion and chile and cook, stirring, until the onion is very soft and translucent, 15 minutes. When the dal is ready, tip the tarka over the dal, stir to partially combine, then sprinkle the cilantro on top. Serve right away with lime wedges and naan or over rice.
• For the Tomato Tarka Variation:
• Melt 3 tablespoons ghee over low heat, then add 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds and 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds. Fry for 1 minute. Add 1 minced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often. Scrape in 1 teaspoon grated ginger and cook to take away some of its rawness, about 1 minute. Stir in 2 small tomatoes that have been diced, 1 or 2 green chiles split lengthwise, and 2 curry leaves (optional). Fry until the tomato starts to break up, 5 to 7 minutes more. Stir most of the mixture into the cooked dal and let simmer for 5 minutes. Check for seasoning, then tip the remaining tarka over the dal. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Steps:

• Soak the beans in cold water for 4 hrs (or overnight, if you like).
• Melt the butter or ghee in a large pan, then add the onions, garlic and ginger, and cook slowly for 10-15 mins until the onions are starting to caramelise. Stir in the spices, coriander stalks and 100ml water. Pour into the slow cooker (or leave in the pan if cooking on the hob). Add the passata and whole red chilli. Drain the beans and add these too, then top up with 400ml water. Season well, set the slow cooker to Low and cook for 5-6 hrs (or cover and cook for 2 hrs over a very low heat on the hob).
• Once cooked, the dhal should be very thick and the beans tender. Stir in the cream, check the seasoning and serve in bowls with naan bread, rice or in a jacket potato, with your choice of toppings. To freeze the dhal, cool completely, then divide into containers or sandwich bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, defrost and heat thoroughly before eating.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, on a low heat, toast the mustard and cumin seeds until they give off a nutty aroma; be careful not to burn them. Set aside in a bowl. In the same pan, heat the oil over a low heat and soften the onion, garlic and ginger with the cardamom pods for 10 mins, adding a little water if they look like they might burn.
• Tip the lentils and toasted seeds into the pan, then stir for a couple of mins before pouring in the coconut milk and enough water to cover it all well. Bring to the boil, immediately cover the pan, turn it down to a low heat and leave to simmer for about 45 mins, stirring every now and then to make sure the mixture is not sticking. If it starts to become too thick, add a little more water. Serve with warmed pitta bread.

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse the lentils, being sure to remove any small stones or dirt, then place them in the slow cooker insert and add the water (the amount will depend on the consistency you desire).
• Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the lentils are tender. While the lentils are cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients.
• In a sauté pan, melt the butter and add the chopped onion. Sauté until the onion is medium brown, about 10 minutes. Add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, ginger, and chiles and continue cooking for another 5 minutes over medium heat. Add the tomato and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
• When the lentils are ready, add the sautéed onion mixture to the pot and stir together gently. Continue cooking just until all ingredients are heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add a pinch of curry powder and salt to taste, then stir in the half-and-half.
• Serve hot, garnished with sprigs of cilantro.
• Suggested Beverage
• Because of the richness of the cream in this dish, I could go with a light- to medium-bodied white wine, a good blanc de blanc (sparkling wine), or even a rosé.