Indian Dal
James Carrier
Yields Makes 5 cups; 5 servings
Serve this thick stew with hot cooked basmati rice or as a dip for toasted bread.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium-high heat, frequently stir oil, cumin, and cardamom just until spices are fragrant, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Add broth, lentils, onion, 1/4 cup cilantro, ginger, chilies, garlic, and turmeric. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring often, until lentils fall apart, about 15 minutes.

Step 2
2

Ladle dal into bowls, sprinkle with more cilantro, and add salt to taste.

Ingredients

 1 tablespoon salad oil
 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
 1 quart vegetable or fat-skimmed chicken broth
 1 1/2 cups dried Red Chief lentils (12 oz.; see notes), sorted and rinsed
 1 cup chopped onion
  About 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
 2 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeño chilies
 1 tablespoon minced garlic
 1 teaspoon ground dried turmeric
  Salt

Directions

Step 1
1

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium-high heat, frequently stir oil, cumin, and cardamom just until spices are fragrant, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Add broth, lentils, onion, 1/4 cup cilantro, ginger, chilies, garlic, and turmeric. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring often, until lentils fall apart, about 15 minutes.

Step 2
2

Ladle dal into bowls, sprinkle with more cilantro, and add salt to taste.

Indian Dal

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