This is simple recipe of curried red lentil soup which is both delicious and simple. You could pair it with toasted sourdough bread or with rice. Pair it with a grilled veggie sandwich and you are done with dinner in a jiffy.
Red lentils are easily available and cook much faster in compared to other lentils. Dal is a great way of having proteins. Just add a dash of lemon juice for easy iron absorption.
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Different types of lentil recipes
Lentils are easy to digest as well as cheap. A packet lasts long and makes multiple meals. You can make variety of dishes with lentils and never get bored.
Indian lentils for reference:
- Moong - yellow split lentils
- Sabut moong/Hari moong - green gram split lentils
- Chilke wali moong -split green gram
- Urad dal chilka- split black gram
- Kali /Maa ki dal - black gram whole lentils
- Urad - split black gram
- Toor /arhar - yellow pigeon peas split lentils
- Chana -split Bengal gram
- Masoor -red lentils
- Moth - Turkish gram
Other important ones are turai dhal, lauki chana dhal, daal makhni,Yellow dal recipe sambar, rasam, amti. Dal fry & jeera rice is a match made in heaven. Indian cuisine has a variety of lentils and many ways to use them. Be it as a curry, appetizer and even a dessert. See the space below to learn how to make mixed lentils.
Ingredients
For cooking lentils in pot
- Red lentils (soaked in water)
- Tomato
- Ginger-garlic
- Paprika powder
- Curry powder
- Oil
- Coconut milk
- salt as per taste
- water
- Coriander leaves
- lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- In a pan, heat oil and add ginger and garlic.
Add tomatoes and salt,continue cooking on low heat.
- Once tomatoes soften, add paprika and curry powder.
- Cook until the spices are mixed well
- Now add the coconut milk
- Let it cook for few minutes.
- Add water to the lentils,cover and cook.
- Cook on slow flame, until the lentils are cooked and soft(20-25 minutes). You can adjust the amount of water as per your choice
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve warm with bread or rice.
Equipment
I have used a heavy bottom pot here in this recipe. However, you can always use your instant pot for it. I am yet to try this in mine though. Will update the recipe card as soon as I do. 🙂
Variations
If you like your food spicy, increase the red chili powder in tempering. If you like your food mild, use paprika or Kashmiri red chilly powder which are a milder variety.
Substitutions
You can use ghee for tempering instead of oil if you are vegetarian.
Equipment
You can cook lentils in any heavy bottom pan or even a slow cooker. You can use a instant pot or a pressure cooker too. The cook time will differ depending on the equipment. Check if the lentils are ready, by mashing a spoonful by using your thumb and index finger. Otherwise let it cook for 10-15 mins.
Storage
If you are short of time on a weeknight? Boil the lentils in a a bigger quantity which lasts two days together. Use half and remaining the next day. Always temper the lentils fresh, it tastes perfect. If you have lots of dhal left, strain it to use water for making rasam.Use the boiled lentil to make paratha.
Read more similar recipes
Curried red lentil recipe
Equipment
- Pot for cooking lentils
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon oil or ghee
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes 3-4 tomatoes yield 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon curry powder can be replace with turmeric powder,garam masala
- ½ cup lite coconut milk
- 1 cup Red lentils also known as Masoor dal in India
- 2 cups water or more
- Salt as per taste
Instructions
- Soak the red lentils in a bowl of water for 20-30 minutes. Drain the water.
- In a pan, heat oil and add ginger and garlic.
- Add tomatoes and salt,continue cooking on low heat.
- Once tomatoes soften, add paprika and curry powder.
- Cook until the spices are mixed well.Now add the coconut milk and let it cook for few minutes.
- Add the soaked red lentil dal.Add water to the lentils,cover and cook.
- Cook on slow flame, until the lentils are cooked and soft(20-25 minutes). You can adjust the amount of water as per your choice
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs
Let it simmer for a while once it boils. It thickens as time goes by.
Dal is low in fat and high in protein. It helps you avoid meat too. It is filling and nutritious. Good source of iron. Just remember to add a dash of lemon for best results.
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