How do I make a flavorful masoor dal red lentil curry?

Spice up your life with our delicious Masoor Dal recipe! In just a few simple steps, you'll have a hearty and aromatic lentil curry.

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I make a flavorful Masoor Dal Red Lentil Curry. Items include: masoor dal (red lentils) water onion tomatoes garlic cloves ginger cumin seeds turmeric powder coriander powder garam masala red chili powder fresh cilantro cooking oil salt

masoor dal (red lentils) 1 cup
water 2 cups
onion 1 (finely chopped)
tomatoes 2 (pureed)
garlic cloves 2 (minced)
ginger 1-inch piece (grated)
cumin seeds 1 teaspoon
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon
coriander powder 1 teaspoon
garam masala 1 teaspoon
red chili powder 1/2 teaspoon
fresh cilantro a handful (chopped)
cooking oil 2 tablespoons
salt to taste

Take note
Please be cautious while handling hot ingredients and sharp utensils.

1

Gather Your Ingredients

First things first, let's gather all the ingredients you'll need for this flavorful curry. You'll need 1 cup of masoor dal (red lentils), 2 cups of water, 1 onion (finely chopped), 2 tomatoes (pureed), 2 cloves of garlic (minced), 1-inch piece of ginger (grated), 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of coriander powder, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder (adjust to taste), a handful of fresh cilantro (chopped), 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and salt to taste.

2

Cook the Lentils

Rinse the masoor dal thoroughly under running water. In a pressure cooker or a large pot, add the rinsed dal and 2 cups of water. Cook the dal until it's soft and mushy (about 8-10 minutes in the pressure cooker or 20-25 minutes in a pot). If using a pressure cooker, allow the pressure to release naturally before opening.

3

Prepare the Base

Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds. Then, add the finely chopped onion and cook until it turns golden brown. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

4

Add the Spices

Now it's time to add some flavor! Sprinkle in the turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Give everything a good stir to coat the onions with the spices. Cook for a minute or two to allow the spices to release their flavors.

5

Add Tomatoes and Cook

Pour in the pureed tomatoes and mix well. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the oil separates from the sides. This step will enhance the taste and bring out the tangy flavor of the tomatoes.

6

Combine Dal and Tomato Base

Once the tomato base is ready, add the cooked dal to the pan. Mix everything together gently, making sure the dal is well incorporated with the tomato base. Cook for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.

7

Sprinkle Garam Masala and Adjust Seasoning

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, it's time to sprinkle in the garam masala. This aromatic spice mix will take your lentil curry to a whole new level. Give the curry a taste and add salt as needed to suit your preferences.

8

Garnish and Serve

Turn off the heat and garnish your masoor dal curry with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve it hot with steamed rice or your favorite bread. Get ready to savor every spoonful of this flavorful and comforting dish!