30-Minute Masoor Dal Recipe

I love dal. With basmati rice, crunchy sourdough, chapati, quinoa, millet, or served on its own as a bowl of soup. Lunch, dinner, or breakfast, dal is comfort food. Growing up, dal was on the menu a few times a week. A staple kitchen item, our pantry was always filled with large jars of pulses (dried beans).

Ranging from yellow to black, the pulse shelf looked like a fiery sunset at dusk. With whole masoor with the peel, split masoor without the peel (red lentils), green mung, urad, chana (garbanzo), and toor (pigeon peas), a varietal array lined the shelves.

Today, my pantry—which is more like a shelf in a small Victorian kitchen—looks similar but with smaller jars. I continue to cook and eat dal quite often as its nourishment is more than just the listed nutrients. Dal is soul food.

Dal refers to the name of a dish and it is also the Hindi word for pulse. The word’s interchangeability between an ingredient and a dish mirrors its adaptability to spices, cooking methods, and different lentil blends. A basic recipe can be easily transformed by simply changing the spices, the amount of water, or the cooking techniques. 

Pulses are rich in the air and earth elements. In Ayurveda, this puts them in the astringent taste category. Red lentils are a wonderful protein-rich choice, especially suited for the spring or summer seasons. However, when adding digestive spices, good fat, and water to the recipe, the tastes and quality of the dish change. This makes the dish easily adaptable for each season and suitable for all doshas.

Today, I am sharing a simple dal recipe that can be made in 30 minutes using red lentils (split and peeled masoor). This is my go-to dal when time is of the essence and I want a light, soupy dal that is tasty, quick, and easy to make. 

While it's simmering, I have the time to make a grain, greens, or my favorite cabbage salad. If I can coordinate the timing, sometimes I make all three, ending up with a mini feast in about an hour. 

If there is leftover dal, I like to approach it like a stock by adding a little more water, an array of chopped vegetables, and a pinch of rosemary or oregano. It makes for a delicious lentil-style minestrone. When it comes to cooking, a 2-for-1 deal is always appreciated!

Quick and Easy Red Lentil Dal Recipe

Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 3–4

What you need:

• 3–4 quart heavy bottom pot
• Small pot or sauté pan
• Hand blender (optional)

Ingredients:

For the Dal

• 1 cup red lentils (soaked overnight or as briefly as 20 minutes)
• 4 ½–5 cups water

For the Spiced Oil Infusion

• 1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil or ghee
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 large garlic clove thinly sliced or minced
• 1 medium ripe tomato finely diced
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 
• ⅓ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon mineral salt

Finishing Touches

• 2­–3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1–2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro (leaves and stems)

Directions:

Drain and rinse the lentils and place them in a large pot with 4 ½ cups of water. Bring to a boil on high heat, uncovered. With a slotted spoon, remove any foam that rises to the top (this will help support digestion). Once the foam has been removed, cover the pot and adjust the heat to low to keep the dal simmering without boiling over.

While the dal is simmering, prepare the spiced oil ingredients. Heat the ghee or coconut oil in a small pot on medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the cumin seeds. Let the seeds lightly toast, about 20 seconds or so. Add the garlic and cook until golden. 

Add the finely chopped tomatoes, grated ginger, salt, coriander, and turmeric powder. Give it a good stir, cover, and let simmer until the tomatoes can easily be broken down into a paste-like mixture, about 7–10 minutes. Adjust the temperature if needed.

Once the mixture is ready, add it to the pot of simmering dal. Prior to adding it, hand blend the dal if you want a smoother and creamier texture. Otherwise, add the spices and continue to cook. The dal is ready when the lentils have dissolved completely and all the flavors have melded together. Total time is about 30 minutes, depending on your altitude.

Turn off the stove, and then salt to taste. Add the lemon juice and cilantro. Serve and enjoy.

Tips:

If the dal is too thin, simmer with the lid removed when you add the spice mixture. If it’s too thick, add a little bit of hot water. I prefer a thinner dal, as it thickens when serving it with a grain. I also find it less heavy. The water tends to separate from this dal, so give it a good stir prior to serving.

Enjoy With:

• Basmati rice (good for vata and pitta)
• Millet or no grains (good for kapha)
• Cooked greens, roasted beets, cilantro chutney, or sprouted mung beans.

Images courtesy of Rumin Jehangir.