Name: Red Lentil Dal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 cup red lentils (yellow lentils will work as well) -; 3 cups water -; 3 plum tomatoes -; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil -; 1/2 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion -; 2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped and made into a paste (see Recipe Note) -; 2 teaspoons Bengali five spice mix (panch phoron) OR 1/2 teaspoon nigella seeds or black (or white) sesame seeds, 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, and (if available) 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds -; 1 bay leaf -; 1 teaspoon turmeric -; 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste -; 1 lime, juiced (about 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice) -; 8 sprigs cilantro, de-stemmed and chopped -; Cooked basmati rice, optional -

Ingredients for - Red Lentil Dal

1. 1 cup red lentils (yellow lentils will work as well)

2. 3 cups water

3. 3 plum tomatoes

4. 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

5. 1/2 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion

6. 2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped and made into a paste (see Recipe Note)

7. 2 teaspoons Bengali five spice mix (panch phoron) OR 1/2 teaspoon nigella seeds or black (or white) sesame seeds, 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, and (if available) 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

8. 1 bay leaf

9. 1 teaspoon turmeric

10. 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste

11. 1 lime, juiced (about 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice)

12. 8 sprigs cilantro, de-stemmed and chopped

13. Cooked basmati rice, optional

How to cook deliciously - Red Lentil Dal

1 . Stage

Cook the lentils: Place 1 cup of red lentils in a metal sieve. Rinse well with cold water. Pour cleaned lentils into a medium sauce pan. Add 3 cups of water. Bring lentils and water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until the lentils are soft.

2 . Stage

Blanch and chop the tomatoes: While the lentils are cooking in step 1, bring a separate small pot of water to a boil. Score the peel of the tomatoes with a sharp knife in the shape of an "X". Place the tomatoes in the boiling water and blanch for one minute. Remove the tomatoes to a bowl to cool. Once cool, peel the tomatoes and cut out and discard the tough stem end. Chop the tomatoes, or mash them, and set aside.

3 . Stage

Sauté the onions with seasonings: After the lentils in step 1 have cooked at least 5 minutes, start preparing the onions and spices. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions. Cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic paste and cook for 1 minute more, stirring continuously, making sure that the garlic does not burn. Add the Bengali five spice. Cook and stir for another 2-3 minutes. Add bay leaf and turmeric. Stir.

4 . Stage

Add cooked lentils: To the onions and spices, add the cooked lentils along with the lentil cooking water. Add salt. Cook for 10 minutes.

5 . Stage

Finish the soup: Add lime juice and tomatoes. Cook for 3-5 more minutes. Adjust salt if necessary. Stir in chopped cilantro and remove from heat. Garnish with more chopped cilantro. Serve with basmati rice or naan bread.