Red Lentil Dal with Caramelized Onions

Added by
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (12 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
Loading...Loading...

Dal is an Indian cuisine comfort-food standby made with lentils, dried beans or peas. Tarka is a technique in which spices are sauteed in fat to magnify their flavor. And as we learned from spice guru Monica Bhide, you’ll enjoy  even more vivid flavor if you grind whole spices. Depending on your choice of cooking fat and stock, you can make this a vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free. Prepare the tarka and raita while the lentils simmer. Serve this dal with brown basmati rice, roasted cauliflower and our Fennel and Mint Raita.

Red Lentil Dal with Caramelized Onions, Carrots & Peas

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Red Lentil Dal with Caramelized Onions, Carrots & Peas

Make a double batch of this dal and freeze the extra to heat up another night.

Ingredients

  1. 1 cup red lentils, rinsed and sorted
  2. 2 cups chicken OR vegetable stock
  3. 1/2 cup water
  4. 1 small (1-inch) dried red chile pepper
  5. 2 tablespoons DIY Ghee, canola oil or coconut oil
  6. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  7. 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  8. 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  9. 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel
  10. 1 small onion, thinly vertically sliced
  11. 1 carrot, julienne cut (a julienne peeler makes this an easy job)
  12. 4 garlic cloves, minced
  13. 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  14. Sea salt, to taste
  15. 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
  16. 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  17. 4 lime wedges

Instructions

Combine lentils, stock and water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 18 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Crush lentils with the back of a large spoon (or use an immersion blender to puree lentils to desired texture).

While the lentils simmer, place dried chile in a spice or coffee grinder; process to grind (or use a mortar and pestle). Heat ghee in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add ground chile, cumin, turmeric, coriander and fennel. Cook 1 minute or until fragrant. Add onion, carrot and garlic. Sprinkle with sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 10 minutes, or until very tender. Season with salt to taste. Stir onion mixture, peas and lime juice into cooked lentils. Adjust seasoning. Serve lentils with lime wedges.

http://nourishnetwork.com/2011/03/30/red-lentil-dal-with-caramelized-onions-carrots-and-peas/

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • http://www.blogbytina.com blogbytina!

    I have just recently gotten into cooking Indian food. This looks healthy and tasty! I will have to try it

  • http://nourishnetwork.com/members/alisoneats/ Alison Ashton

    Enjoy!

  • http://www.wearenotmartha.com Sues

    Definitely trying this very soon! I’ve been trying to learn more about cooking Indian food and love that I have all the spices in my cabinet :) And it’s so true- grinding your own spices is SO much better!

  • http://nourishnetwork.com/members/alisoneats/ Alison Ashton

    Grinding your own spices does make a big difference! Hope you enjoy it!

  • Pingback: Romance and History in One Little Heirloom Bean | Nourish Network()

  • Pingback: Spicy Red Lentils with Onions & Peas | Love From Kelsey()

  • Ian Swan

    One of the best dahls I’ve ever made! Served it over basmati rice.
    I didn’t have fennel seeds on hand, so I added some thinly sliced fennel bulb with the onions/carrot/garlic. Also, if you don’t grind your own spices don’t worry, all of my spices were pre-ground and it still tasted amazing!

    • liahuber

      So glad you enjoyed it! I love the idea of incorporating fresh fennel. I think I’ll try that next time …