Indian Dal Masoor (Red lentils)

Indian Dal is an easy comfort food for me. There are many good recipes, and it's easy to find one that you will like. My daughter likes this one a little.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups red lentils
6 cups water or broth or mix half/half (I used veg broth)
1 small onion finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp garam masala
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
4-cloves of garlic whole
1 Cinnamon stick whole
3 slices of ginger
1 bay leaf
sea salt and pepper to taste
dash of Cayenne or I used several dried whole chili peppers to get the flavor without so much heat. I sprinkled a little whole celery seeds in there too and It added a nice touch, just a tad.

Rinse massor dahl thoroughly, until water is clear. In pot saute the onions in small amount of butter until soft. Add seasonings and stir. Add the broth, dal and remaining ingredients. Bring to boil, then lower to a simmer cook until thickens about 45min to 1 hour. Salt and pepper at the end before serving, some recipes heat whole mustard seed, cumin seed, and asafoetida in some ghee in small pan then drizzle on top before serving. Be sure you fish out the whole peppers, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, garlic and pieces of ginger before you serve it or at least warn them. I brought this to work once and didn't get all the chilies out and someone ate it. She didn't let me hear the end of it. At least she knew me well.



You can adjust the liquid the way you like it. I like mine a little more soupy. Some like it thicker. Top with fresh chopped cilantro and yogurt,(my daughter ate hers with sour cream) and serve with a nice bread. Here it is with my Olga's bread, and yes I see the chili pepper!