Masoor dal recipe | Indian red lentils recipe | How to cook red lentils

By Swasthi's Recipes · 30 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Wash the masoor dal (and moong dal, if using) in a few changes of water until the water runs clear. Put them in a pot or pressure cooker.
2. Add the chopped tomatoes, water and green chili.
3. Stovetop: pressure cook on medium heat for 1 to 2 whistles. Or, in a pot, bring to a rolling boil, lower the heat and cook until soft, adding hot water if needed. Skim off any froth.
4. Once the pressure has dropped, open the cooker.
5. Mash the dal to your liking, smooth or coarse. If needed, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of hot water to adjust the consistency.
6. Heat the ghee (or oil or butter) in a small pan over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chili and chopped garlic. Sauté until the garlic turns slightly golden.
7. Turn off the heat and add the asafoetida, chili powder, turmeric and garam masala. Quickly pour this tempering over the dal. Optionally, set aside half of the tempering with the red chili to garnish later.
8. Add the salt and crushed kasuri methi, if using. Mix and simmer for 2 minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed.
9. Squeeze in lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Serve with roti or rice.
10. Instant Pot: press Sauté and add the oil to the inner pot. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, broken red chilies and garlic.
11. When the seeds splutter, add the tomatoes with the salt, chili powder, asafoetida, garam masala (optional) and turmeric. Sauté for 1 minute.
12. Add the dal, green chili and water. Stir well and deglaze to lift any stuck bits. Lock the lid and set the steam release handle to sealing.
13. Pressure cook on high for 7 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally until the pin drops, then open the pot.
14. Stir in the kasuri methi. Taste and add more salt or garam masala if needed. If runny, sauté for a few minutes; if too thick, add a little hot water and sauté for 1 minute.
15. Squeeze in lemon juice, garnish with coriander and serve with rice.

Summarized from Swasthi's Recipes's video. Watch it for the details.

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