Bengali Dhal

Description

Here is my recipe for dhal based on my many experiences cooking with my friends over the years. We love this served over freshly made basmati rice. Don’t skimp on the caramelized onions and garlic – it totally makes this recipe amazing!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup onion, thinly sliced, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped, divided
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¾ cup cherry tomatoes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 (2 inch) whole serrano chile peppers (Optional)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Wash lentils in a strainer. Combine lentils and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 of the sliced onions and garlic
  2. reserving the rest for later. Stir in turmeric
  3. bay leaf
  4. tomatoes
  5. and salt. Add chiles
  6. leaving them whole to add flavor or cut in half to add heat. When mixture begins to boil
  7. reduce heat to a simmer; cook until lentils break apart and thicken slightly
  8. about 20 minutes.
  9. Meanwhile
  10. in a skillet
  11. heat vegetable oil over medium heat until oil shimmers. Add reserved sliced onions; cook and stir until onion has softened and translucent
  12. about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; continue cooking and stirring until onion is very tender and dark brown
  13. 15 to 20 minutes more. Stir in reserved garlic and cook
  14. stirring constantly
  15. until garlic is fragrant and tender
  16. about 2 minutes.
  17. Add onion-garlic mixture into cooked lentils and stir. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 4

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