Five Lentil Stew Panch Dal Recipes

FIVE-LENTIL STEW (PANCH DAL)

Steps:

• Rinse dals. Bring water to boil in large pot. Add dals, stir, and bring back to boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit 2 hours.
• Add turmeric and cayenne to dal and bring water to boil. Reduce heat slightly and simmer until dal is tender, approximately 35 minutes.
• 10-15 minutes before dal is ready, begin cooking spice mixture. Heat oil in heavy skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add onion and garlic and fry 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add cumin and garam masala and cook another minute. Add tomatoes and salt and cook until tomatoes have been reduced, approximately 10 minutes.
• Add onion mixture to dal and stir well. Cook 2-3 minutes more to blend flavors. Taste for salt and adjust seasoning.
• Serve hot in one large bowl or in individual-sized bowls with chapati or naan.

LENTILS WITH PANCH PHORAN (DAL)

Steps:

• In a bowl, rinse the lentils and mung beans well and pick out discolored beans. Drain in a sieve and put into a heavy pot with the salt and cold water. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, to prevent sticking. When lentils are tender, remove from heat.
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add asafetida and panch phoran, stir and allow spices to sizzle, about 30 seconds.
• Add tomato and turmeric. Work mixture with wooden spoon into a puree. Cook about 3 minutes.
• Add tomato mixture to the cooked lentil mixture and simmer about 5 minutes.
• Serve.