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Daal

A family recipe from a friend I know from undergrad with light adaptations to make the recipe faster. See the spice mix recipe.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups dry masoor daal
  • 6 cups water plus more as needed
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger paste
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 14 oz canned tomatoes finely diced or puréed
  • ¼ cup spice mix
  • tbsp salt to taste
  • 4 cups spinach fresh
  • 1 lemon juiced

Method
 

  1. Wash the lentils thrice and let soak in warm water
  2. Saute the garlic, ginger paste, and cumin seeds in olive oil in a large pot for a couple minutes until fragrant
  3. Add the onions and half the salt; allow the onions to cook until they are translucent
  4. Add the tomatoes, spice mix, and remaining salt; fry the tomatoes for a couple minutes, mixing in the spices well
  5. Add the lentils and the water used to soak them, and raise the heat to allow the daal to reach a simmer
  6. Lower the heat, and add water as necessary to thin the consistency
  7. When the lentils are mostly disintegrated, add lemon juice and spinach

Notes

  • Substitute canned tomatoes with 3 fresh tomatoes, chopped
  • Frozen spinach may be substituted