Best 4 Red Lentil Dal Recipes

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**Red Lentil Dal: A Hearty and Flavorful Indian Dish**

Red lentil dal is a comforting and flavorful Indian dish made with red lentils, a variety of spices, and fresh herbs. This nutritious and protein-rich dish is a staple in many Indian households and is often served with rice, roti, or naan. The lentils are cooked in a flavorful broth made with a combination of spices including cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. The addition of ginger, garlic, onion, and tomatoes adds depth of flavor, while fresh cilantro and lemon juice provide a refreshing touch. This article offers a collection of red lentil dal recipes, each with its unique variations and culinary influences. From a classic red lentil dal to a creamy coconut red lentil dal and a spicy Goan red lentil dal, these recipes cater to a range of tastes and preferences. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a hearty and satisfying dish to share with family and friends, these red lentil dal recipes are sure to delight your taste buds.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SPICED RED LENTIL DAL



Spiced Red Lentil Dal image

Provided by Food Network

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup dried red lentils, washed and picked over
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 cloves
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salt
2 tablespoons cold butter, optional
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for serving

Steps:

  • Put oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; when it is hot, add onion and cook until soft, about 10 minutes; set aside.
  • Meanwhile, combine the lentils, ginger, garlic, mustard seeds, cloves, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a saucepan. Add water to cover by about 1 inch, and bring to a boil. Adjust heat so mixture bubbles gently, and cook, stirring occasionally and adding water if necessary, until lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with salt and more pepper and keep cooking to desired tenderness. Lentils should be saucy but not soupy.
  • Remove cloves from pan and add reserved sauteed onion. Stir in butter if you are using it. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with cilantro and serve.

SLOW COOKER RED LENTIL DAL RECIPE



SLOW COOKER RED LENTIL DAL RECIPE image

Categories     Bean

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 cups red lentils, yellow split peas, or split mung beans (or a combination)
6 cups water
One 28 ounce diced tomatoes
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons fresh grated ginger
1 Tablespoon turmeric
3 green cardamom pods
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons each: cumin seeds, mustard seeds, onion seeds, fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For serving:
Hot cooked brown rice
cilantro, optional
extra onion and cumin seeds, optional
fresh lemon juice, optional

Steps:

  • Place red lentils and yellow split peas into a large bowl and cover with water. Let soak for a few minutes and swish to wash the lentils and split peas. Drain well and rinse. Place in a slow cooker and add the 6 cups water. Add the diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cardamom pods, bay leaf, salt and black pepper. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add all of the seeds to the pan. Shake the pan while on the heat, or use a wooden spoon to stir, while toasting the seeds. When they smell fragrant, remove from heat and transfer to the slow cooker. (It will probably bubble up a bit as the hot seed hit the liquid.) Stir well to combine all ingredients. Place lid on slow cooker and let cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Remove lid after cooking time and stir. Taste and if lentils are not soft, cook for another 30-60 minutes, if needed. Add more salt and pepper, if needed. To serve - Ladle the daal over brown rice and top with a squeeze of fresh lemon, cilantro, and more seeds, if desired.

RED LENTIL DAL WITH YOGURT RAITA



Red Lentil Dal with Yogurt Raita image

Tasty red lentil dal. Serve over brown rice or whole wheat naan.

Provided by yazkid

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Indian

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 23

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon mustard seed
5 carrots, chopped
5 stalks celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 ½ cups red lentils, rinsed
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
4 cups water
18 ounces diced tomatoes
½ (8 ounce) container plain yogurt
½ cup grated cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 pinch garam masala
1 lime, juiced
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large pan over high heat and add mustard seeds; fry until they begin to pop, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium and add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in lentils, coriander, salt, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, and cloves. Pour in water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Simmer until lentils are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • In the meantime, mix yogurt, cucumber, mint, and garam masala together for the raita.
  • Add lime juice and cilantro to the lentils. Serve with the raita.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 458.1 calories, Carbohydrate 63.3 g, Cholesterol 1.7 mg, Fat 13.2 g, Fiber 16.4 g, Protein 23.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 775 mg, Sugar 13 g

RED LENTIL DAL



Red Lentil Dal image

yummy

Provided by barbara lentz

Categories     Other Main Dishes

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 c red lentils rinsed
4 c salted water
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small onion chopped
4 clove garlic minced
2 tsp grated ginger
1 green chili seeded and chopped
1/2 Tbsp madras curry powder
1/2 tsp each coriander, cumin, and tumeric
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 c crushed tomatoes
fresh cilantro for garnish
basmati rice and naan for serving

Steps:

  • 1. Combine the lentils and salted water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce to low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the lentils are very soft.
  • 2. Meanwhile add the oil to a pan. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and green chilies and saute until softened. Stir in the spices and brown sugar.
  • 3. Add the tomatoes and lentils and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over rice and garnish with cilantro. Serve with naan

Tips:

  • Use the right lentils. Red lentils are the best choice for this dal, as they cook quickly and break down easily, creating a smooth and creamy soup.
  • Soak the lentils. Soaking the lentils for 30 minutes before cooking helps to reduce the cooking time and makes them more digestible.
  • Use a flavorful base. The base of the dal is made with onions, garlic, ginger, and spices. This is where you can add your own personal touch, by adjusting the spices to your liking.
  • Don't overcook the lentils. Lentils cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them. Overcooked lentils will become mushy and lose their flavor.
  • Serve with rice or bread. Dal is typically served with rice or bread. This helps to soak up the flavorful sauce and makes a complete meal.

Conclusion:

Red lentil dal is a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to make. It is a great way to use up leftover lentils, and it can be served as a main course or a side dish. With its rich flavor and creamy texture, red lentil dal is sure to please everyone at your table.

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