Best Indian Spiced Lentils Recipes

INDIAN-SPICED RICE WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Rinse lentils; drain. Place in small bowl. Rinse rice; drain. Place in another small bowl. Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cinnamon, cloves, and cumin; sauté about 2 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; sauté about 30 seconds. Add water, salt, sugar, and turmeric; bring to boil. Reduce heat; add lentils and cook 8 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add rice and boil 5 minutes. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until lentils and rice are tender and liquid is absorbed, about 8 minutes longer. Remove from heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Transfer rice to large bowl. Remove cinnamon stick pieces and cloves. Mix in cilantro and lime juice.
• Basmati rice is available at Indian markets and some supermarkets.

INDIAN-SPICED CHICKEN WITH LENTILS AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit baking sheet with a wire rack; spray rack with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
• Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add lentils and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, partially covered, until tender, about 25 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons salt, 4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper, and 4 teaspoons curry powder. Carefully loosen chicken skin from flesh by sliding forefinger under skin. Season chicken flesh and skin over with curry mixture and place on prepared rack. Transfer to oven and roast until crispy and golden, about 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until deep golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add remaining 2 teaspoons curry powder; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add vinegar, 1/2 cup water, lentils, and garbanzo beans; stir to combine. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with sesame stick and cilantro leaves.
• Meanwhile, mix together yogurt and cucumber; season with salt and pepper. Divide lentils and chicken evenly among four plates; serve immediately with cucumber mixture, chermoula, and pita.

INDIAN-SPICED TURKEY BREAST WITH CREAMY RED LENTILS

Steps:

• Rinse the turkey breasts and pat dry. Pour the lemon juice over the turkey and sprinkle it lightly with salt. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Combine the lemon zest, yogurt, chile, olive oil, spices, ginger, and garlic in a shallow bowl. Turn the turkey over in the marinade and let it sit at room temperature for at least 1/2 hour, or chill overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 475°F or turn on the broiler.
• Place an oiled baking sheet in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the turkey from the marinade and strip off the excess marinade with your fingers. Place the turkey on the hot baking sheet and cook for about 5 minutes, then use a spatula to flip it and cook another 5 minutes, or until just cooked through. Remove it from the oven and allow to rest before slicing. If you're using the broiler, broil the turkey 8-10 minutes, turning once.
• To serve, place a generous spoonful of the lentils on the plate, then place a few slices of the turkey alongside. Garnish with a sprinkling of chopped cilantro and a wedge of lemon.
• Creamy Red Lentils
• Heat the oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the lentils and pour in 3 1/2 cups water, then add the cilantro bundle and cumin and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and cook gently for about 45 minutes, adding a little more water if necessary.
• When the lentils are tender and ready to serve, remove the cilantro stems and season with salt.

DAAL: INDIAN SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• In a large pot over low-medium heat, add the ghee to melt. Add the onion and cook, stirring until very soft and translucent and slightly yellow, about 6-8 minutes.
• Add the garlic, ginger and fresh chilli if using (if using dried red chilli flakes, add them later with the spices) and cook for 1 minute, until just fragrant.
• Add the spices; curry, coriander, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and dried red chilli flakes (if using). Stir for about 30 seconds.
• Add the tomato and the lentils, stir for a couple of minutes until nicely coated with everything.
• Add 4 cups water, bring to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, partially covered for about 20-30 minutes until lentils are very soft and the stew is thick, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and adding a little extra water if needed. Season to taste. Serve with Naan and mango chutney.

INDIAN SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium sized heavy pan, add onions, and saute 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1-2 minutes. Add curry powder to onion-garlic mixture and saute about 2 minutes more. Add lentils and stock, bring to a low simmer, then cover pan and cook until lentils are tender and liquid is absorbed. Cooking time will depend on how old the lentils are, but after 30 minutes I would start to check every few minutes. You may need to add a little water towards the end if your stove doesn't keep the simmer low enough. (I cooked the lentils in the photos for 38 minutes and then let them sit about 5 minutes with the lid on.) When lentils are done (soft but still slightly chewy), remove from heat, and let sit covered for 5 minutes while you chop the parsley. Stir in parsley, season with salt and pepper and serve hot. This is a perfect dish to cook ahead, freeze in individual portions, and take to work for a quick grab-and-go lunch.