Red Lentil Dal

Name: Red Lentil Dal
Total time: 30 min
Yield: Family
Ingredients: 250 g red lentils; 1 each onion and tomato; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 3 cloves garlic

Dal is a humble, nourishing Indian lentil stew that turns a handful of pantry staples into deep comfort. Red lentils break down into a creamy, golden pot with no soaking needed. A final sizzle of spiced oil poured over the top makes it special.

Asian Vegan Gluten-Free Stovetop Dinner Budget Lentils

⏱ 30 min
📊 easy
🍽 Family

Ingredients

250 g red lentils
1 each onion and tomato
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 cloves garlic

Instructions

Rinse the lentils, then simmer with turmeric and water until soft and broken down, about 20 minutes, skimming any foam.
Stir in chopped tomato and salt and cook a few minutes more until saucy.
In a separate small pan, heat oil and sizzle the cumin seeds and sliced garlic until fragrant and golden.

Pour this spiced oil (the tadka) over the dal and stir through.
Loosen with water to your preferred consistency.
Finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon, and serve with rice.

💡 Chef's tip

Skim any foam that rises as the lentils first come to a boil for a cleaner, smoother dal.

The tadka, a quick sizzle of cumin and garlic in hot oil poured over the dal at the end, is what lifts a plain pot of lentils into an aromatic, restaurant-worthy dish.