Best Mums Everyday Red Lentils Aarti Sequeira Recipes

RICE AND LENTIL PORRIDGE WITH PEANUTS, COCONUT AND FRIED SHALLOTS (KICHIDI)

Steps:

• Combine rice and lentils in a large bowl. Cover with water and swish around with your hands until water is cloudy. Pour off water, then cover again with fresh water and wash. Repeat this process until water runs clear, 3 to 4 times. Cover with water and set aside to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Set a large stovetop pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons ghee and the bay leaves. Allow to cook until leaves are sizzling.
• Meanwhile, drain rice and lentils in a strainer. Carefully add to the pressure cooker and stir well. Continue to cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes, until the water has evaporated off the grains and they audibly sizzle.
• Add grated ginger, turmeric and 5 1/2 cups of water. Stir well and season with salt. Slide lid on the cooker. Turn heat to high and allow pressure cooker to come to high pressure. Immediately switch the heat off, and allow cooker to natural release for 15 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, then remove lid. The grains should be very soft. Remove bay leaves.
• Crush cumin seeds and peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
• Warm remaining 2 tablespoons ghee in a small pan over medium-high heat. Add cumin seed mixture and hing and cook until aromatic. Add coconut, peanuts and curry leaves, if using. Cook, stirring often, until coconut turns golden brown. Immediately pour over the rice porridge. Get every last bit out! Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with bowls of cold yogurt.

RED LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, garlic, chile, ginger, onions, tomatoes and enough water to cover in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then lower the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Whisk the cooked lentils to release some of their starch and break them down further.
• Warm the oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook until they are sizzling and spluttering. Stir in the paprika and turmeric. Pour the seasoned oil onto the lentils (be prepared for a big sizzle). Stir to combine; sprinkle with salt and a small drizzle of honey. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with cilantro, a drizzle of yogurt, lemon or lime wedges.

MUM'S EVERYDAY RED LENTILS (AARTI SEQUEIRA)

Steps:

• Put the lentils in a strainer and rinse them under running water. Add them to a bowl, cover with water and let soak for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, the onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, chile, if using, and the lentils. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim any scum from the surface. DO NOT ADD SALT YET; it will toughen the lentils, thereby lengthening their cooking time. Lower the heat, cover the pot with a lid and gently simmer until the lentils are tender, almost translucent, and almost falling apart, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Whisk the lentils, releasing its natural starch, and mash some them so the mixture becomes thick. Add salt, to taste.
• Tempering oil (bagaar): In a small bowl, combine the cumin and mustard seeds. In another bowl, combine the spice powders. Have all the ingredients ready because this will move very fast!
• In a small skillet, over a medium-high flame, warm 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add seeds and immediately cover so you don't get covered in spluttering oil and seeds! Add the spices. They should sizzle and bubble a little - that's the blooming and it's exactly what you want. Don't let them burn. The mixture should bloom for about 30 seconds, no more.
• Pour the oil mixture into the lentils, standing back so you don't get hurt when the mixture splutters again. Stir to combine. Transfer the lentils to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro.