Dal As We Like It Recipes

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat the ghee and stir-fry the onions just until wilted, do not brown. Add the garlic, jalapeno, cumin, lentils, ginger, curry powder, salt, pepper, sugar and bay leaf. Saute for 1 to 2 minutes, until the herbs and spices bloom (aromatic). Add the tomatoes and deglaze with the vinegar. Add the chicken stock, bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning with cumin, salt, pepper and sugar.
• In a large saute pan, combine the black peppercorns, cloves, cardamom seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon sticks, and dried red chiles. Over medium heat, cook just until slightly toasted, stirring constantly. Turn off heat and stir in the grated nutmeg.
• Transfer to a food processor and grind to a fine powder. Pass through a fine strainer. Allow to cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight jar. Use as needed.

Steps:

• Boil the dal in the water it soaks in with the next 8 ingredients, in a vessel or pressure cooker till cooked (my pressure cooker takes 1 whistle to cook the dal) In the meanwhile keep the rest of the ingredients ready.
• When the dal is cooked heat a tblsp of oil in a kadai/ vessel Add the asafetida and the mustard, cumin and curry leaves in quick succession.
• Add the garlic as soon as the mustard splutters.
• Then add the onion slices and fry till light brown.
• Then add the stock cube and saute.
• When you get the aromas add the chopped tomato and then the spice powders.
• Add the cooked dal and stir to mix well.
• When heated through add the lime juice.
• (One tsp at a time Taste and add some more if you feel like it you can go beyond 2 tsp if your taste buds give you the go ahead) Garnish with coriander leaves (we really add a lot of these but I have only put and serve hot over rice).
• Try a dry meat dish as an accompaniment.