I love Indian food. And if you are a big a fan of lentils as me I’m sure that this simple way of making it will come in handy to you and that it will enhance your cooking life. You may also visit KellysThoughtsOnThings for some other great recipes to try.
There are a number of ways to make lentils or daal each having its own distinct taste, I have read through a number of recipes and have pieced together different add-ons to create the perfect lentils meal for myself. Here it is, make sure to follow the recipe closely and you won’t be disappointed by the outcome.
Things you will need:
Box or bag of lentils
Bag of rice (I use Basmati)
Curry powder
Tumeric
Cumin
A few Onions (Quantity depends on your taste)
A couple Tomatoes
Garlic (The More the Better)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
2 or 3 potatoes chopped up
Cooking it:
Ok now that we have all the ingredients it is time to get down to the cooking, firstly you should start by chopping up the onions and garlic, size depends on what you prefer. Put a pot on the stove and level the bottom with olive oil, when hottish dump the onions and garlic in and stir around let them stay in cooking until they change their color to a sort of yellow brown meanwhile start chopping up the tomatoes, when the onions and garlic have started changing color it is time to throw all the spices in, the amount really depends on you but don’t be sparing with the curry and cumin as these are the main spices, also add a sufficient amount of salt and pepper.
Stir around for a few minutes until the spices have mixed in with onions and then add all of the chopped tomatoes stir for about five minutes and when ready dump the bag of lentils in, stir around with the other things for no more than 2-3 minutes and then bring the pot to the tap you should approximately add 2/3 more water than there is lentils so it should be quite high in the pot.
Mix around and then leave to start boiling. When it starts boiling throw the chopped up potatoes in as these give the sauce more substance.
Now that you have the lentils boiling you should start on the rice, for those of you that have a hard time with rice this should be an easy way. Add oil to the bottom of the pot and salt and mix around until hot and then measuring the rice throw it in and mix around with oil until it is all oily, now add the same amount of water as you did rice adding about half a glass more, the stove should be on highest and you should then put on lid. When the water start boiling turn the stove down to the lowest heat and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes with the lid on (DO NOT TAKE LID OFF), after taste the rice to make sure it is finished and take pot off the stove.
About the time the rice finishes the lentils should be done also, check for the thickness of the sauce if very thick it is finished, if not so much you should leave it on for a little longer.
When all is finished clean up the stove and pots and enjoy the delicious meal you just made.
