This Red Lentil Dahl is flavourful and aromatic. Made with red split lentils, this is a easy and highly adaptable recipe.
Red Lentil Dahl
There are several Dal recipes on the blog already and this is yet another version of Dal/Dahl/Daal. Red Split Lentils are a really easy Dal to use in these recipes because they require very little pre soaking.
How to make Red Lentil Dahl
Add red lentils to 1 litre of water, salt, chilli powder, turmeric and black pepper. Lower heat and simmer covered for 30 minutes. You will need to check this occassionally as it may stick to the bottom of the pot. Add a spalsh of water if this is the case. Blend using a stick blender.
Add red lentils to 1 litre of water, salt, chilli powder, turmeric and black pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes. Blend using a stick blender.
Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, curry leaves, ginger, sliced garlic and green chillies. Pour over the Dal and cook for 2 - 3 minutes.
Add tomato puree, crispy fried onions, coriander powder, dry red chillies and garam masala. Cook for 10 minutes.
Variations
Dal – You can use most Dals in this recipe but I would not recommend Green Mung Dal like I use in this recipe or Dal that won’t break down like Chana Dal that is used in this recipe.
Veg - You can add Spinach/Kale and any other green leafy veg to the Daal towards the end of the cooking time. You can also add other vegetables that you like. If you do add root veg, they will require more cooking time or you can pre roast them before adding them to the Dal.
Fried Egg - Adding a fried egg to Dal makes it so delicious and also the most comforting meal ever.
Tempering/Tadka – This is a flavoured oil that is poured on top of Dal. Add whatever you like here. I tend to go for LOADS of garlic, Curry Leaves and Cumin Seeds. You can also add Dry red chillies, ginger, mustard seeds, Hing.
Storage
Red Lentil Dahl lasts up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
To reheat, add a splash of water and warm gently on the stove top or in a microwave.
You can freeze the this Dal for up to 2 months in an air tight container.
You can also freeze just the boiled Red Lentils for up to 2 months. Many people do this to save time for more time consuming Dal recipes. To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight or take it out of the freezer on the morning that you intend to use it. The proceed with the recipe as normal.
How to serve Red Lentil Dahl
This Dal is great served with Jeera Rice, Papad (Papadums), Achaar (Pickles – I love Mango or Lime) and Kacumbur (Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad) or Raita (Yoghurt and Cucumber or Yoghurt and Red Onion).
More Dal Recipes:
** if you make this recipe, please comment/tag us. thankyou. xx.
Red Lentil Dahl
Ingredients
Boil Red Lentil Dahl
- 200 g Split Red Lentils
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
Tempering
- 60 ml Oil Veg or Sunflower
- 1 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
- 10 Curry Leaves
- 1 ½ inch Ginger crushed
- 7 Garlic Cloves Sliced finely
- 2 Green Chillies pierced
To Finish
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Puree
- 4 heaped tbsp Fried Onions I used store brought
- 1 ½ teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 3 Dry Red Chillies
- 1 teaspoon Ground Garam Masala
Instructions
- Add red lentils to 1 litre of water, salt, chilli powder, turmeric and black pepper. Lower heat and simmer covered for 30 minutes. You will need to check this occassionally as it may stick to the bottom of the pot. Add a spalsh of water if this is the case. Blend using a stick blender.
- Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, curry leaves, ginger, sliced garlic and green chillies. Pour over the Dal and cook for 2 - 3 minutes.
- Add tomato puree, crispy fried onions, coriander powder, dry red chillies and garam masala. Cook for 10 minutes.
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