Best Simple Yummy Spiced Lentils Recipes

SIMPLE YUMMY SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• mince the garlic and dice the onion.
• heat oil in a medium-sized pot, add onion and garlic and heat on low until the onions become translucent (it's important to keep it on the lowest heat setting because garlic burns really easily!).
• add a pinch or two of curry powder, coat onions and garlic and sautee for one more minute or until the spice starts to dye them.
• now add the lentils and water according to the packaging (mine suggested 1 cup of lentils and 3 cups of water), bring to a boil and add the rest of the spices.
• stir, cover, turn the heat back down to low and let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• drain most of the water and serve over rice or with pita or naan bread and enjoy!
• *you can use any spices you have laying around, really. I just sifted through my cupboards and found that these work really well together, but feel free to experiment, add veggies, whatever you like :).

SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup red or yellow lentils, 4 cups water, a pinch of turmeric and a 1-inch piece chopped ginger to a boil; simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Whisk vigorously; season with salt. Cook 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 2 sliced garlic cloves and 2 to 3 dried red chiles in a skillet with 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat, 2 minutes. Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes; cook 1 minute. Stir into the lentils with some chopped cilantro.

WARM SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover lentils by 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer until just tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well.
• In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
• Cook onion for 5 minutes.
• Add garlic, 2/3 of tomatoes, cucumber, cumin, ginger, paprika and cayenne.
• Cook, stirring for 3 minutes.
• Add parsley and lentils, stir for 2 minutes.
• Season with lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Fold in remaining tomatoes and garnish with feta cheese.

MASOOR DAL (SPICED RED LENTILS)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat oil, and sauté onion until softened. Add sweet potato, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add minced ginger and garlic; stir, and reduce heat to low.
• Finely dice chili, keeping seeds if you wish to add more heat. Add chili, lentils, coriander, cumin, turmeric and ground ginger to pan. Stir until lentils are well coated with oil. Add tomatoes and 4 cups water. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat until mixture is at a fast simmer. Cook uncovered until lentils and potatoes are soft, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt, and continue to simmer until mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes. Whisk dal to amalgamate lentils and sweet potatoes. If dal is too soupy, increase heat and cook for a little longer.
• To serve, place dal in a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. If desired, shave thin strips of fresh coconut on top. Serve hot.