Empress Dal Food

EMPRESS DAL

Steps:

• Combine the oil, cumin, red chiles and turmeric in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the garlic or asafetida, lentils, cayenne, and mango powder, if using, (if using lemon juice instead, stir in at the end), and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Add the water and salt, bring to a boil and skim well.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, covered , until the lentils are soft, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Add more water during cooking if necessary. Taste for salt and add more if you need to.
• Ladle about ½ cup of the lentils into a small bowl and mash them with a spoon.
• Return the mashed lentils to the pot and give the dal a stir. Then continue cooking at a simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes to thicken.
• If you like a thicker dal, use a whisk to break up the lentils into a puree. If you like a thinner dal, add more water. Stir in the lemon juice, if using. Serve hot.

INDIAN DHAL

Steps:

• Wash lentils thoroughly, remove any that float on the surface, drain well.
• Heat ghee and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is golden brown.
• Add turmeric and stir well.
• Add drained lentils and fry for a minute or two, then add hot water and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils are half cooked.
• Add salt and garam masala, mix well and continue cooking until lentils are soft and the consistency dsimilar to porridge.
• If there is too much liquid leave the lid off the pan to speed evaporation.
• Serve plain or garnished with sliced onion.