Red Lentil Dal

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
• 3 cups water, room temperature
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 2-inch cinnamon stick
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 green chili pepper, stemmed, seeded, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
  Swap forgarlic (as written)jarred minced garlic
• 1 tbsp ginger root, finely minced
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• ½ lemon, juice of
• cilantro leaves, as needed, chopped, for garnish

Steps

1. 1.Put 1 cup rinsed red lentils in a large saucepan with 3 cups water. Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes, keeping it at a gentle simmer.
2. 2.Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add ½ tsp cumin seeds and the cinnamon stick (1); cook 60–90 seconds until fragrant.
3. 3.Add 1 cup diced onion, the green chili pepper (1), 4 cloves garlic and 1 tbsp ginger. Cook 4–5 minutes until the onion turns translucent.
4. 4.Add ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp cardamom, ½ tsp paprika, ¾ tsp kosher salt and the diced tomato (1 medium). Cook 2–3 minutes until the tomato begins to break down. Discard the cinnamon stick.
5. 5.Drain some of the excess water from the lentils, leaving some in. Stir the spiced onion mixture into the lentils.
6. 6.Add the juice of ½ lemon, stir, and adjust the salt and thickness as needed.
7. 7.Garnish with cilantro and serve with basmati rice and naan.