Recipe: Basic Indian Lentil

This recipe was the first of the several Indian lentil preparations that I learned. It takes less than 30 minutes to make from start to finish. It goes great with white rice and a side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables. It is very light on your stomach, so its a great alternative on days when your stomach is not feeling well.

Alright lets get to it.

What do you need?

- Yellow lentil (available at most grocery stores, e.g. Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, and all Indian stores)
- Orange Lentil (available at the same locations)
- Basic spices (salt, pepper, etc)
- Cumin Seeds
- Ground Red Chile
- Ground Turmeric
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Coriander
- Coriander leaves (3-4 stems)
- Onion (one)
- Tomato (two)
- Olive Oil
- A deep pot with a lid or a pressure cooker
- and a saucepan


I am hungry, let's make it

1) Mix 1/2 cup of Yellow and 1/2 cup of Orange lentil in the pot
2) Thoroughly clean the lentils. Rinse with water and do it 2-3 times until the water is clear. This important else the lentils will be brothy.
3) Add 5 cups of water to the pot and 1 tbsp of salt to the lentil mix
4) Put the pot on high and let it boil for 15 minutes
5) During this time, dice your tomatoes and onions
6) Add some olive oil to a saucepan and turn the stove flame to medium
7) When the oil is just about hot, throw in the 1 tbsp of cumin seeds
8) As soon as the seeds start crackling, add the diced onions
9) Let the onions turn light brown and then throw in the diced tomatoes
10) Then add 1/2 tbsp of turmeric, 1/2 tbsp ground coriander, 1/8 tbsp of black pepper, and 1/4 tbsp of red chile
11) Saute it for about 5 minutes
12) Check on your lentil. Take a spoon and test out consistency of the lentils. If they are mushed easily then you are done
13) Turn down the flame on the lentil pot and add in the mixture we just made
14) If the lentil consistency is thick and requires more water, feel free to add another 1/2 to 1 cup to it
15) Heat for another 5 minutes on medium, let the water come to a boil
16) During this time chop some fresh coriander leaves
17) Garnish the lentil with leaves

And ... you are done!

It sounds like a lengthy process but honestly it doesn't take more than 30 minutes to prepare.

I recommend that you try it with white or brown rice. Add grilled chicken or some stir-fried vegetables (such as broccoli, Chinese cabbage) to the side.

The image you see on the left is the actual final product that I made.




आप का खाना स्वादिष्ट हो (Apka khana swadisth ho), that's Bon Appetit in Hindi!