Red Split Lentils Recipes

Steps:

• Rinse rice in several changes of water and transfer to a container. Cover with water and let soak at room temperature, 15 minutes to 1 hour. Drain.
• Combine 3 cups water with red lentils in a large pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, skimming any scum that collects on the surface. Stir in onion, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and turmeric. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Stir broccoli, tomatoes, peas, and salt into the pot. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until lentils are soft, about 30 minutes more.
• Combine drained rice with remaining 1 1/2 cup water in another pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to very low and simmer, covered with a tight-fitting lid, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, ginger, and garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour over lentils; stir to distribute. Cook lentils until flavors combine, about 5 minutes. Serve lentils with rice.

Steps:

• Put the lentils in a strainer and rinse them under running water. Add them to a bowl, cover with water and let soak for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, the onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, chile, if using, and the lentils. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim any scum from the surface. DO NOT ADD SALT YET; it will toughen the lentils, thereby lengthening their cooking time. Lower the heat, cover the pot with a lid and gently simmer until the lentils are tender, almost translucent, and almost falling apart, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Whisk the lentils, releasing its natural starch, and mash some them so the mixture becomes thick. Add salt, to taste.
• Tempering oil (bagaar): In a small bowl, combine the cumin and mustard seeds. In another bowl, combine the spice powders. Have all the ingredients ready because this will move very fast!
• In a small skillet, over a medium-high flame, warm 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add seeds and immediately cover so you don't get covered in spluttering oil and seeds! Add the spices. They should sizzle and bubble a little - that's the blooming and it's exactly what you want. Don't let them burn. The mixture should bloom for about 30 seconds, no more.
• Pour the oil mixture into the lentils, standing back so you don't get hurt when the mixture splutters again. Stir to combine. Transfer the lentils to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro.

Steps:

• Pick over, wash, and drain the lentils.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, bring the lentils and water to a boil, skimming off any scum that rises to the top. Stir in the turmeric. Cover pot, with lid slightly ajar, and simmer over low heat for 1 1/4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook for 3 to 4 seconds, then add the garlic. Once the garlic pieces start to brown, add the onion, cabbage and green chilies. Cook the cabbage mixture, stirring often, until it starts to brown. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt. Turn off the heat.
• After the lentils have cooked for 1 1/4 hours, add and stir in the tomato, the ginger, and 1 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Add the cabbage mixture. Stir to mix and allow to simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reheat the cabbage.

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, onion, green chili, ground cumin, turmeric, half of the chopped ginger and 6 cups water in a big heavy pot.
• Simmer and cover leaving lid slightly ajar for 45 minutes.
• Next add chicken (cut into small pieces) and salt.
• Bring mixture to a boil and then simmer for another 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
• Next get a small pan out and put the tablespoon of oil in it.
• When hot, put in the whole cumin seeds.
• As soon as the seeds begin to sizzle (this just takes a few seconds) put in the remaining ginger and garlic.
• Saute until garlic is slightly brown.
• Now put in the red pepper and lift the pan up immediately and dump everything into the pot with chicken and lentils.
• Finally, add the lemon juice, sugar, and garam marsala.
• Stir to mix and cook for another 5 minutes or so.
• You can top each serving with fresh cilantro if desired.