A Fantastic Tarka Dhal Food

TARKA DHAL

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils several times until the water runs clear, then tip into a saucepan with 1 litre water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 mins, skimming the froth from the top. Cover with a lid and cook for a further 40 mins, stirring occasionally, until it's a thick, soupy consistency.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat the ghee or oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, then fry the onion and garlic until the onion is softened, so around 8 mins. Add the turmeric and garam masala, then cook for a further minute. Set aside.
• Tip the lentils into bowls and spoon half the onion mixture on top. Top with the coriander and tomato to serve.

A FANTASTIC TARKA DHAL RECIPE

Steps:

• Pour about 400ml of water over your lentils in a sauces pan and simmer over medium high heat until tender. Remove any foam that forms on the top. Cooking the lentils should take about 25 minutes.
• While your lentils are cooking, melt the ghee in a frying pan and add the curry leaves, cumin seeds and cinnamon stick.
• Stir in the chopped onion and fry for about 5 minutes until browned.
• Add the chopped garlic, garam masala and turmeric and stir it into the hot ghee..
• Pour the most of the ghee mixture (the tarka) over the lentils and stir it all in. Leave some to garnish.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with the remaining tarka.

LENTIL DHAL WITH ROASTED GARLIC

Steps:

• Place the whole head of garlic in an oiled roasting tin - I used a little pannacotta mould that the garlic could sit snugly in - and drizzle a little olive oil over the garlic. Pop the garlic in a preheated 350F (180C) oven, and roast it for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wash and drain the lentils, and then place them in a large, heavy-bottomed, preferably non-stick pan, with the 3 ¾ cups of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, partially covering the pan with its lid. Stirring occasionally, allow the lentils to simmer for about 35 minutes, or until the mixture starts to take the appearance of very thick soup. You may need to add some water to the pan, from time to time, as it evaporates and the mixture starts to look dry.
• Once you have the lentils on to cook, melt the ghee or butter in a small to medium skillet, and cook the onion, fresh chilies and ginger over low heat, stirring from time to time, until golden - about 10 minutes. Just as the lentils are becoming tender, add the onion mixture to the lentils and stir to combine. Then allow the lentils to finish cooking. Give the skillet a bit of a wipe with kitchen paper, as you will use it again shortly.
• At about this time, the garlic should be soft and tender. Remove it from the oven and let it cool - roasted garlic can be extremely hot, so take care. Cut off the top third of the head, and holding the garlic over a small bowl, squeeze and otherwise dig out the flesh from each clove. Next, mash the garlic with the 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Add the roasted garlic puree, ground cumin and ground coriander to the lentil mixture, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, then add the diced tomatoes and a little lemon juice, to taste. Mix thoroughly, then reduce the heat while you prepare the spice mix.
• Heat the oil in the skillet and fry the sliced shallots until quite crispy and brown. Add the garlic and cook until it just colours slightly - overcooked garlic gets bitter. Remove this mixture from the pan and set it aside.
• Melt the ghee or butter in the same pan, and fry the cumin and mustard seeds until the mustard seeds start popping. Stir in the dried chilies, curry leaves and the shallot mixture, then tip it all into the lentils and swirl it around.
• Garnish the dhal with the fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

TARKA DAL

Steps:

• Rinse lentils in a strainer using cold water. Pick-over and discard any bad looking lentils. Then place them in a bowl and cover with cold water to soak for half an hour.Drain in the strainer and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large frypan over a medium heat. Add half the mustard seeds and half the cumin seeds. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes until they start popping.
• Add the garlic, ginger, curry leaves and half the onion. Stir until soft- about 8 minutes.
• Add the tomato, cashews, turmeric, garam marsala, ground chilli, ground coriander and the vegetable stock. Stir occasionally until thick- roughly 5 minutes.
• Add lentils and enough water to cover the lentils (about 1.5 litres). Bring to the boil and then reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally until the lentils are cooked through and tender - about 1/2 hour.
• In a seperate pan- heat the ghee and add the remaining spices. Stir for a couple of minutes, until fragrant. Add the remaining onion and stir until the onion is golden.
• Combine the onion mix with the lentil mix.
• Add the cream bring to the boil.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve sprinkle chopped coriander over the top.