Dal is a beautifully warming, comforting dish and this is a very simple, easy-to-make version with a nice onion garnish to stir in at the end. It makes a really cheap supper with a salad or veggies on the side or you can serve it with another curry. The texture should be quite soupy.
Ingredients
Fried onion garnish
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 onion, finely sliced
How to Make It
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook it over a medium heat until softened and starting to caramelise around the edges. Add the ginger, garlic and cumin seeds and continue to cook for 2–3 minutes. Stir in the turmeric and season generously.
- Wash the lentils thoroughly until the water runs clear, then add them to the saucepan. Stir to coat the lentils with all the flavours, then add 900 ml of just-boiled water. Bring to the boil and skim off any foam that forms, then turn down the heat and cover the pan. Simmer for 25–30 minutes, until the lentils have broken down. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary.
- For the fried onion garnish, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and add the cumin seeds. Cook for a scant half minute, then add the onion. Cook gently until the slices have softened and lightly caramelised, while still keeping their shape. Season with salt and pepper and cook for another 2–3 minutes, then tip the onion on to kitchen paper to drain.
- Serve the dal with the onion garnish, coriander leaves and lime wedges.