Ingredients

• For Dal (Lentil Soup)
• 1 cup split red lentils (masoor dal)
• 4 cups water
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• For Bhat (Rice)
• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 4 cups water
• Salt to taste

Directions

• For Dal:
• Rinse the lentils thoroughly and soak them in water for about 30 minutes.
• In a large pot, add the soaked lentils, 4 cups of water, turmeric powder, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the lentils are soft and cooked.
• In a separate pan, heat the ghee or oil. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Once they start to splutter, add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
• Add the minced garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for another minute.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they are soft and the oil starts to separate.
• Pour this mixture into the cooked lentils and mix well. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
• For Bhat
• Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear.
• In a pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice and salt.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed.
• Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Notes

• 5-16-25 1/2 Recipe
• I used for the Dal
• Masoor Dal
• Moong Dal
• Chana Dal
• Yellow Mustard Seed
• Brown Mustard Seed
• 2 Serrano Peppers
• 2 Thai Chili Peppers
• Lal Mirch
• I used for the Jeera Bhat
• Carrots
• Peas
• 4 Cloves, Whole
• Bay Leaves
• 1 tsp Cumin Seed
• Masoor dal typically takes about 15-20 minutes to cook and become soft. Here's a general guideline:
• # Cooking Time:
• 1. Pressure cooker: 5-7 minutes
• 2. Stovetop: 15-20 minutes
• 3. Instant Pot: 5-8 minutes
• # Tips:
• 1. Rinse the dal before cooking.
• 2. Use a 2:1 or 3:1 water-to-dal ratio.
• 3. Adjust cooking time based on desired consistency.
• 4. Add spices and seasonings according to your recipe.
• Keep in mind that cooking time may vary depending on the type of masoor dal and personal preference for texture.
• Dal Variations:
• Mixed Dal: Use a combination of different lentils like moong dal, chana dal, and toor dal for a richer flavor.
• Spicy Dal: Add more green chilies or a pinch of red chili powder to make the dal spicier.
• Vegetable Dal: Add vegetables like spinach, carrots, or tomatoes to the dal for added nutrition and flavor.
• Bhat Variations:
• Jeera Rice: Instead of plain rice, you can make jeera rice by adding cumin seeds and a few whole spices like cloves and bay leaves while cooking the rice.
• Vegetable Pulao: Add mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and beans to the rice while cooking to make a simple vegetable pulao.

Photos