Ingredients and Weight:
- Masoor Daal (Red Lentils): 1 cup
- Water: 3 cups
- Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Red chili powder: 1/2 teaspoon (or as per taste)
- Fresh ground pepper or black peppercorns: a few sprinkles
Preparation Time:
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty Level:
Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Soak the masoor daal in water for about 30 minutes.
- In a pan, heat the oil and add the chopped onions. Saute until they turn translucent.
- Add the garlic and saute for a minute.
- Add the soaked daal along with 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
- Once the daal starts boiling, add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Adjust the seasoning according to taste.
- Simmer the daal for about 40 minutes or until it becomes soft and creamy. You may need to add more water if the daal becomes too thick.
- Lastly, add the fresh ground pepper or black peppercorns for a slight peppery flavor and serve hot.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: Approx. 250 calories per serving (assuming no additional oil/butter is added during serving)
- Carbohydrates: High in carbs due to lentils
- Protein: A good source of protein
- Fiber: High in fiber content due to lentils
Dish Characteristics:
- This dish is a traditional Indian lentil dish that is rich in protein and fiber.
- It has a creamy texture and a slightly spicy flavor due to the red chili powder and pepper.
- The dish is quite filling and makes for a great side dish or a vegetarian main course.
User Comments:
- "This dish was delicious! The flavors were well balanced and the lentils were cooked to perfection."
- "I added some yogurt on top to make it more of a curry-like dish. It was really good."
- "I love the creamy texture of the lentils. This dish is a great source of protein for vegetarians."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Soaking the lentils before cooking helps in faster cooking and better texture.
- Adjust the seasoning, especially the red chili powder, according to your preference for spiciness.
- If you want to make it more of a curry-like dish, you can add some yogurt or canned coconut milk once the daal is cooked.