F&W Free Preview All You Coastal Living Cooking Light Food and Wine tab Health myRecipes Southern Living Sunset

Three-Lentil Dal

  • ACTIVE: 20 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 45 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 6

Dal, the Indian name for lentils, is also the word used to describe stewy Indian lentil dishes. This simple dal, from the Taj Lake Palace hotel, is finished with a cumin-and-coriander scented oil. The mix of lentils—earthy split peas, nutty toor dal (pigeon peas are a good substitute) and creamy red lentils—add complexity to the dish.

Recipe: Three-Lentil Dal

  • HEALTHY
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  1. 3/4 cup yellow split peas (4 ounces)
  2. 3/4 cup toor dal (dried split pigeon peas) (4 ounces)
  3. 3/4 cup dried red lentils (4 ounces)
  4. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  5. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  6. 1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  7. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  8. 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  9. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  10. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  11. 1 large tomato, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  12. Salt
  13. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  14. 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  1. In a medium enameled cast-iron casserole, cover the yellow split peas, toor dal and red lentils with 1 1/2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the red lentils and toor dal break down and the split yellow peas are tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the cumin seeds and cook over moderate heat until they darken, 1 minute. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until golden brown, 6 minutes. Add the coriander, turmeric and cayenne and cook, stirring a few times, until fragrant, 2 minutes. Add the tomato and cook until softened, 3 minutes. Scrape the mixture into the dal and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, 3 minutes. Season with salt. Stir in the butter and cilantro and serve.
Make Ahead The dal without the butter and cilantro can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding water as necessary if the dal is too thick.
food
The Dish Twice weekly chef recipes made easy, weekly meal planners.

wine
The Wine List Weekly pairings, best bottles to buy and the latest news.

daily
F&W Daily One sensational dish served fresh every day.
American Express Publishing ("AEP") may use your email address to send you account updates and offers that may interest you. To learn more about the ways we may use your email address and about your privacy choices, read the AEP Privacy Statement.
How we use your email address

MARKETPLACE

View Website Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement of American Express Publishing Corporation.

Users of this site agree to be bound by the terms of the American Express Publishing
Corporation Website Terms and Conditions.

Copyright © 1997 - 2012 American Express Publishing Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
3.44-ci