It's amazing how fast Curry Monday comes around! Due to us being away at the weekend I haven't had the chance to get to the butchers so a Veggie curry was called for. A quick flick through my cookbooks and I found Tarka Dhal. A Dhal is a lentil based curry that is one of the most popular dishes in India and Tarka relates to the process in which the curry is seasoned with spiced oil at the end. It turned out to be the perfect opportunity to try out some of the spices I picked up at Rafi's Spice Box.
It can be eaten as an accompaniment to a dry curry or on its own. We had it with just naan bread and I can now understand why it is described as the ultimate comfort food. It was gorgeous and filling. Also a great standby dish as it uses ingredients that are always available in our house. Even "I don't do veggie food" Hubby enjoyed it.
Tarka Dhal
Serves 2
125g red split lentils (Masoor Dhal)
500ml hot water
1/2 can (200g) chopped tomatoes
1/8 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp root ginger, grated
2 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp sunflower oil
1 tsp black mustard seeds
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes
1/2 cumin seeds
1) Soak lentils in boiling water for 10 min then drain. Place in a saucepan, add hot water and simmer for 20 min. Drain again, put back in saucepan then blitz lentils until you have a puree.
2) Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, ginger, coiander and green chilli. Simmer gently.
3) In a non-stick frying pan, heat the sunflower oil then add mustard seeds, garlic, chilli flakes and cumin. Fry for 1 min. Pour the dhal into the frying pan with the tarka, stir then serve.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Curry Monday - Tarka Dhal
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I was thinking of not buying red lentils anymore since they're not my favorite, but this dish might have me change my mind.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy dhals and you're right they are usually great to use up store cupboard ingredients when I haven't been out shopping.
ReplyDeleteCeline - If you prefer other lentils, I'm sure it would work with others.
ReplyDeleteSylvie - You can't beat tasty storecupboard meals.
i had this 'sick' moment that you were eating Tarka [the otter] curry. i think it was because i'd seen come and dine with me last week and they ate zebra on there. the lady who did it [even though strange food habits] was stunning - and she won it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely - I might think about having a curry day for myself for when my boyfriend is at his house. I had a lovely red lentil and quinoa curried soup this evening which I think I'll have to make again...but this dhal sounds like a great way to use up my packets of red lentils. How I ended up with 3 packets I'll never know...
ReplyDeleteI think these little red lentils are my favourites of all the lentil group and this curry is also among my top curry choice. I can almost smell the spices!
ReplyDeleteI'm stunned at that picture. Didn't think it was possible to make lentils look pretty when cooked! Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo Jules of your curry! It looks really gorgeous and I have some red lentils in my store cupboard :)
ReplyDeleteRosie x
Anon - I never realised a Tarka was also an otter!
ReplyDeleteJakie - I swear bags of red lentils reproduce in my cupboards!
Nic - I have to say I've found it the tastiest way to eat red lentils.
Wendy - thank you :)
Rosie - you'll have to give it a go.
This sounds yum, I will definitely give it a try, thanks for posting!
ReplyDeletei mske this and stir fry some chickento have with it, yummy especially on a cold winters night.
ReplyDelete