Brit + Co Guides Logo

How to make dhal (red lentil) curry

Another simple, spicy staple, easy to make, goes great with rice and immensely satisfying to eat.

46
STEPS
INGREDIENTS

The ingredients.

The ingredients.

Peel, chop and dice your onion,  into medium sized cubes.

Peel, chop and dice your onion, into medium sized cubes.

Peel your ginger ready for grating. Peel your garlic ready for crushing.

Peel your ginger ready for grating. Peel your garlic ready for crushing.

Wash your lentils in a separate pan, use cold water, drain. Do until the water runs relatively clear.

Wash your lentils in a separate pan, use cold water, drain. Do until the water runs relatively clear.

Heat your (preferably heavy bottom) saucepan, put in a tablespoon of oil. I use groundnut, feel free to use whatever, just not olive oil. Add your cumin seeds.

Heat your (preferably heavy bottom) saucepan, put in a tablespoon of oil. I use groundnut, feel free to use whatever, just not olive oil. Add your cumin seeds.

Once the seeds are sizzling, add your onions. Cook, soften, brown. Lower the heat to avoid burning.

Once the seeds are sizzling, add your onions. Cook, soften, brown. Lower the heat to avoid burning.

Grate your ginger in using a mini grater or micro plane.  Stir.

Grate your ginger in using a mini grater or micro plane. Stir.

Crush your garlic in. I like a lot of garlic, feel free to use a bit less. Stir.

Crush your garlic in. I like a lot of garlic, feel free to use a bit less. Stir.

Ah, heresy. Chop up a veg stock cube. Traditionally this isn't used. I've been making dhal for over 20 years. It helps give a depth of flavour.  Your choice. Put into saucepan.

Ah, heresy. Chop up a veg stock cube. Traditionally this isn't used. I've been making dhal for over 20 years. It helps give a depth of flavour. Your choice. Put into saucepan.

Add the chilli powder, salt, garam masala and pepper and stir.

Add the chilli powder, salt, garam masala and pepper and stir.

Put in your washed lentils.

Put in your washed lentils.

Add water to up to two thirds of the pan depth. Stir. Cover the pan.

Add water to up to two thirds of the pan depth. Stir. Cover the pan.

Cook on a low to medium heat for around 25 minutes. You'll need to check every five or ten to make sure it isn't burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Cook on a low to medium heat for around 25 minutes. You'll need to check every five or ten to make sure it isn't burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Have a coffee. I like a flat white.

Have a coffee. I like a flat white.

Time's up and you should have a nice thick soup. Serve with bread of your choice, or preferably with boiled basmati rice, which can be made in tandem.

If you want a guide on making near foolproof/ perfect boiled basmati rice, leave a comment.

  • 1.0 medium sized onion
  • 1.0tsp garam masala
  • 1.0tsp ground coriander
  • 1/3tsp cumin seeds
  • 1.0tsp chili powder
  • 1.0tsp salt
  • 1.0 knorr vegetable stock cube
  • 1.0c red lentils
  • 2.0 garlic clove
  • 1.0in ginger root