Split red lentils are quick-cooking lentils that are made into a delicious thick soup. Dried red lentils are actually orange in color, and are sometimes also referred to as Egyptian lentils. Read on to learn how to cook plain red lentil, red curry lentil, or dal, a traditional red lentil soup.
Ingredients
Ordinary Red Lentil
- 1 cup split red lentils
- 2 1/2 cups water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Red Lentil Curry
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 1 large light brown potato, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup red beans
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
Red Lentil Dal
- 1 cup red lentils
- 3 cups of water
- 3 plum tomatoes (plum-shaped tomatoes)
- 2 teaspoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup garlic or yellow, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons Bengali 5 spice mix (masala)
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cooking Plain Red Lentil
Step 1. Wash dry lentils
Pour the split red lentils into a sieve or a fine sieve. Split red lentils are notorious for having a lot of dirt in them, so make sure to clean them well. Rinse under running water and remove any large chunks of visible dirt.
Step 2. Pour the washed split red lentils into the cooking pot
Add water to the pot.
Step 3. Bring the water to a boil
Step 4. Reduce the heat when it reaches the boiling point and let it boil
Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the pan.
Step 5. Remove the lentils from the heat after cooking
Split red lentils will cook in about 25 minutes. You'll know the lentils are ripe by observation - the lentils turn into a thick mush or puree.
Step 6. Season to taste with salt and pepper
Step 7. Use lentils for dishes that require it
Split red lentils tend to be added to other dishes but can be eaten straight if you prefer. Try lentil dishes with these ideas:
- Use it to thicken soups and casserole dishes.
- Add to vegetable or meat curries.
- Cooked into kofte.
Method 2 of 3: Cooking Red Lentil Curry
Step 1. Wash the lentils
Pour into a sieve and rinse thoroughly.
Step 2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan
Place over medium heat and let the oil get really hot.
Step 3. Add ginger and garlic
Cook the lentils for about two minutes, until soft.
Step 4. Add curry powder
Step 5. Add potatoes and carrots
Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
Step 6. Stir in the lentils, broth, salt and pepper
Step 7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer
Stir in the curry occasionally.
Step 8. Cook the curry for 20 minutes
The dish is ready when the lentils and vegetables are soft.
Step 9. Serve the curry
It is delicious eaten with lime wedges, naan (crock bread), and rice.
Method 3 of 3: Cooking Red Lentil Dal
Step 1. Wash the lentils
Place in a colander and rinse with water for a minute or two.
Step 2. Cook the lentils
Place in a saucepan with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook the lentils until soft, about 12 minutes.
Step 3. Peel the tomatoes
Scratch the top with an "x." Bring another pot of water to a boil, then dip the tomatoes into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove. After it's cooled a bit, slide your finger under the skin at the "x" and peel it along the path.
Step 4. Finely chop the peeled tomatoes
Step 5. Heat the oil in a large saucepan
Heat over medium heat until the oil is really hot.
Step 6. Saute the onions
Saute the onions for about 5 minutes, until translucent.
Step 7. Add the garlic
Continue cooking for another minute.
Step 8. Stir in the Bengali five spice and turmeric
Step 9. Pour in the cooked lentils
Pour directly into the pot, water and all. Cook for another 10 minutes.
Step 10. Stir in the tomatoes
