Best Sweet And Sour Dal Bhat Recipes

DAL BHAT

Steps:

• Wash the lentils and rinse, historically this step is to remove stones, but most of us don't have that problem. If you're using larger, slower cooking lentils, you may like to soak them overnight first to speed up cooking. Put the rice on to cook when appropriate. I prefer to use a rice cooker for this. Chop your onion, garlic and ginger and tomato. Heat oil on high in a large pan. Add your chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, and stir on high heat until the onion is golden. Grind your cumin, turmeric, peppercorns, cardamom, and coriander to make a spice mix. Stir in the spice mix. Turn the heat down to medium (6 out of 10 on our stove), and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. This step is important, spices must be tempered in oil, always. Pop the mustard seeds in oil in a hot frying pan and add to the mix. Add chopped tomato and butter or ghee (optional). Stir, cover and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the lentils and cook in the oil/butter for 5 minutes. Don't scrimp on the oil or butter. Be careful they don't stick at this stage. Add water, and boil as per cooking instructions for your chosen lentil. Season with sea salt and white pepper if needed. Wash your coriander leaf and/or green onion. Chop for garnish. When your lentils' cooking time is up, your dal is ready to serve. Present with the rice, popadums, garnish, vegetables, curd and pickle. The dal should be served in a small soup bowl as above

SWEET & SOUR LENTIL DHAL WITH GRILLED AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Cover the lentils, turmeric and tamarind paste with 500ml water. Add some salt and boil for 15 mins or until very soft. Skim off any foam that forms on the top. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of the oil and cook the onion, garlic and ginger until golden, about 5 mins.
• Add the curry powder and cook for a further 2 mins. Pour in the lentil mixture and cook for another 10 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan until very hot. Rub the remaining oil over the aubergine slices and season. Cook for 2-3 mins each side until cooked through and charred. Eat with basmati rice, lime or mango chutney and a sprinkling of coriander, if you like.