Musur Dal
Veg
Vegan
Red lentil dal tempered with mustard oil, nigella seeds (kalo jeere), dried red chilli, and a splash of lime — the everyday dal of Bengali households, light and satisfying.
Cuisines
Bengali
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
Recipe
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 30 min
Total: 40 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
1 cup | Red Lentil |
|
3 cups | Water |
|
1 medium | Onion , finely chopped |
|
1 medium | Tomato , chopped |
|
2 cloves | Garlic , minced |
|
1 inch | Ginger , grated |
|
2 tablespoons | Mustard oil |
|
1 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
|
1 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
|
2 pieces | Red Chili , dried |
|
1 | Bay Leaf |
|
1 teaspoon | Salt |
|
1 tablespoon | Cilantro , chopped |
Instructions
- 1 Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.
- 2 In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed lentils with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- 3 Reduce the heat to low and add turmeric powder and salt. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the lentils are soft and cooked through.
- 4 In a separate pan, heat mustard oil over medium heat.
- 5 Add cumin seeds, dried red chilies, and bay leaf to the hot oil and sauté until the spices release their aroma.
- 6 Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté until golden brown.
- 7 Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute.
- 8 Add the chopped tomato and cook until the tomato softens and the oil begins to separate from the mixture.
- 9 Pour the cooked lentils into the pan with the spice mixture and stir well to combine.
- 10 Simmer the dal for another 5-10 minutes, adjusting the consistency with water if necessary.
- 11 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
Tips
For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of asafoetida (hing) while sautéing the spices.