Simple Lentil Curry

“Simple Lentil Curry” or rather a delicious, simple daal with plain simple rice is something I crave for always after binge eating or coming home after a long holiday or just to give myself a break from a lot of fancy cooking!

Lentils and beans are big part of our diet, I cook many different types of lentils in lot of ways and I like to serve them as a side with some curry or salad or as a soup. Lentils are a great source of  proteins, vitamins and minerals and the best part they are gluten free. I like to cook lentils with cream, coconut milk or to keep it simple with water.

This Simple Lentil Curry is made with mung lentils, the healthiest of the lot, they cook quickly. they taste good if they are cooked with good flavours and I have got you covered there! This Simple Lentil Curry recipe is so flavourful, it has a fresh gingery kick to it, umami and smokiness of chilli and garlic and tang of fresh lime.

So this is how you make this Simple Lentil Curry!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup cooked mung lentils
• 1 big onion or shallot medium diced
• 2 small tomatoes large diced 
• 4 cloves of garlic crushed 
• ½ inch ginger brunoise or small dieced 
• 2 or to taste green chillies sliced
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp or to taste red chilli powder 
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 dried red chilli 
• Few curry leaves 
• ¼ tsp asafoetida
• Salt to taste 
• Coriander for garnishing 
• 1 ½  tbsp ghee
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 cup water 

Instructions:

In a saucepan or pot heat ghee, add in the cumin seeds and garlic. Let it brown for a few seconds, add in the asafoetida, red chilli, green chillies and curry leaves. Fry for 2 minutes.

Add in the turmeric powder, onions or shallots, saute for 5 minutes or till the onions are golden brown. Add in the red chilli powder and tomatoes, saute for just 2 minutes. 

Add in ½ cup of water so the spices don’t burn, now add in the cooked mung lentils, salt. Give it a stir and add more water if needed or for your desired consistency. Boil for 5-7 minutes or till it comes to a rolling boil. 

In the end add in the lime juice, mix it well. Garnish with coriander. Serve hot!

If you like this recipe and if you are soup lover like me then do check these recipes out.

Butternut Squash Soup

Lentils soup with poached eggs

Chef tips:

If you like your lentil curry or daal more spicy you could add a hot garlicky tadka just before you serve it.

If you have a lot of leftover, add in some whole wheat flour, some more salt and make a tight dough out of it. Make rotis (flatbreads)

For gluten free option: Add in some sorghum flour, buckwheat flour, rice flour and amaranth flour. Make a tight dough and make thick flatbreads.