Masoor Dal

Sometimes really good things come in not so good looking packages. I learned to cook this dish from an Indian cooking class I took last year. It was super fun and I learned a few great recipes including this one. I still go back to it every once in awhile when I'm craving something different. I know it may not look as fancy or delicious as others but the flavour is all there. It's the spices that make this such a great dish and some are very good for you too. Did you know that turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties? Plus lentils are really good for you as well so eat up and know your doing something good for your body. To warm you up on a cool rainy day it's perfect. Try it tonight for Meatless Monday!

What you need:

1 large onion, minced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 thumb size knob of ginger, minced or 1/2 tsp or so of powdered ginger
2 cups of red, yellow or green dried lentils (I use red)
4 1/2 cups of vegetable stock or water
1 Tbsp thyme
1 Tbsp tumeric
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp cardammon
(Alternately, if you have some Garam Masala on hand you could use that too. It is a blend of all or some of these spices and is really tasty)
Salt and pepper to taste

PREHEAT a large pot on Medium and add a glug of oil or ghee (clarified butter) to the pot. Add onion, garlic and ginger and saute until soft (ten minutes or so) but not browned.
MEANWHILE rinse your lentils in a strainer lined with cheesecloth or a mesh strainer very well until they are no longer foamy (you will not want to skip this step. Trust me!)
ADD spices and water or stock and bring to a boil Reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with Basmati rice, Some kind of sweet/spicy Chutney (My favorite is mango chutney or salsa, spicy or not) and some pappadums. You can find pappadums in the Indian food section at the grocery store and are like a big chip that you fry in oil or you can also do it in the microwave but it's not as good that way. The directions are on the back of the box anyway but it's really easy and really fun. I just put a big bowl of rice and the pot of Dal of the table with everything and let people help themselves.

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