Simple Dahl

Simple, flavorsome and oh so yummy! However it does take some time and patience and a fair amount of stirring so have something to read handy. However, I highly recommend this recipe as a diet staple.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups dry red lentils, rinsed
4 cups vegetable stock or filtered water
2 whole dried chillies or 1/2 tsp crashed chillies/chillie powder
2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp sea salt (*Note if you are using a store bought stock that isn't salt reduced you dont need to add the extra salt as it will be already quiet salty)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin seeds (if you dont have seeds powder works fine aswell)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
1 tbsp frsh ginger, grated (or an additional clove of garlic)
1 cup chopped fresh tomato (optional but highly recommended)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (you may need a little more depending on how salty your dish is)
1 tsp garam masala (packet is fine but the recipe for how to do it yourself is at the end of the recipe)

Method:

Combine lentils, stock or water, chilles, tumeric and salt in a soup pot on high heat. Bring to a boil, the reduce to simmer for about 30 minutes, until lentils are tender, stirring continually. You may need to add up to an additional cup of water or stock to adjust to the desired consistency.

Heat the oil in a small fry pan on meduim-high. Add the cumin seeds (or powder) and saute for about 15 to 30 seconds, until fragrant but not burning, then stir in the onions, garlic and ginger. Reduce heat to medium and saute for abou 5 minutes, until onions begin to brown. Add tomato and saute for another 7 minutes.

Discard chillies once lentils are tender. Stir om the onion mixture, lemon juice , garam masala and additional salt if required.

Serve with brown rice and roti bread.

Garam Masala:

3 tsp black peppercorns
2 tbsp seeds from green cardamon pods
2 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tbsp cumin seeds
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp whole clothes
1-2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp grated nutmeg

Grind each item seperately in a spice grinder (or a clean coffee grinder), except for cayenne and nutmeg, then place all ingredients in a small jar, cover, and shake until well combined.