Ingredients

• 1 cup (7 ounces) whole urad beans with skin
• 4 cups water, plus more for soaking
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 medium (10 ounces) white onion, cut into chunks
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• One (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut in half
• 4 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter, divided (may substitute extra-virgin olive oil)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or creme fraiche (may substitute nondairy yogurt)
• 2 tablespoons loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Pick through the beans and discard any dirt or stones, then transfer to a medium bowl and rinse under running water. Add enough water to cover the beans by 1 inch and soak overnight (8 to 12 hours). Drain.

In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat, combine the beans with the 4 cups water and baking soda. Bring to a rolling boil, then lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook the beans until they are tender and almost falling apart, 30 to 45 minutes. Transfer the beans with their liquid to a large bowl. Rinse the saucepan and wipe it dry.

Combine the onion and garlic in a blender. Chop half the ginger, add it to the blender and pulse until the vegetables form a smooth paste. (If needed, add a bit of the liquid from the dal to the blender to help things move around.)

Return the saucepan or Dutch oven to medium-high heat, and melt 2 tablespoons of the ghee. Add the garam masala and turmeric and cook, stirring, until the spices release their aroma, 30 to 45 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook until darkened, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, stir in the onion mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has cooked away and the ghee has started pooling in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the cooked beans and their liquid and stir in the salt and cayenne. Taste, and add more salt if needed.

Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook at a boil for a few minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the cream and remove from the heat.

Cut the remaining ginger into matchsticks. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of ghee. Add the remaining ginger and fry until the ginger starts to turn golden brown, about 1 minute. Pour the fried ginger and ghee over the dal. Garnish with the cilantro, if using, and serve hot, with plain rice or flatbread, and yogurt or raita on the side.

WaPo

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry lentils, soaked overnight
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 2 sprigs parsley, stems and leaves chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 garlic cloves, lightly mashed
• 3¼ cups (750ml) vegetable stock
• optional: 1 medium potato, chopped in 1cm cubes

Preparation

In the pre-heated pressure cooker, add the olive oil and cook the onion until just beginning to soften. Then add the celery, parsley and cook for another minute. Add the rice and garlic cloves mix well and cook until it is all evenly wet and pearly (about a minute). Add the stock, potato (if using), and strained lentils, mix well. Close and lock the lid of the pressure cooker, and cook for 5 minutes at high pressure. When time is up, quick release pressure and open the cooker. Mix well and serve immediately with extra virgin olive oil.

Hip Pressure Cooking

Ingredients

• 200 gm (1 cup) green lentils, washed
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 750 ml (3 cups) water
• 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper, to taste

Preparation

Add enough water to the lentils to cover, and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, then drain. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the onions for 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Add garlic, ginger, and turmeric, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the lentils and the water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for approximately 30 minutes, until the lentils have softened, adding more water if needed. (You can adjust the consistency of the final dish by adding more water and cooking longer.) Adjust seasoning and serve.

Browsers Grazers

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried brown or green lentils
• 12 to 15 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs (fat trimmed)
• 6 c. chicken stock
• 1 c. water
• 1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 scallions, white and light-green parts, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium-size ripe tomato, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic (powder)
• 1 teaspoon ground sumac (may substitute cumin)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or more as needed

Preparation

Combine the lentils, chicken (to taste), water, stock, onion, scallions, garlic, tomato, cilantro, granulated garlic, ground sumac, oregano, paprika and salt in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot.

Lock the pressure-cooker lid in place. Turn the heat to high; once the pot reaches HIGH pressure, cook for 30 minutes, adjusting the heat to maintain pressure, as needed. For the Instant Pot, lock the lid and press the SOUP button and cook for 30 minutes. Use the pressure releases, then unlock and open.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board; use two forks to shred it, then return it to the pot, stirring to incorporate. Taste, and adjust the salt, as needed.

Washington Post

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
• 1 teaspoon each cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/2 tablespoon each black pepper and Himalayan pink sea salt
• 32 ounces vegetable broth
• 1 cup red lentils
• 4 kale or turnip green leaves, ribs removed and chopped

Preparation

In a dutch oven or soup pot, heat olive oil on medium/ high. Add onions and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until transparent. Add garlic and cubed sweet potatoes. Stir until ingredients are incorporated and cook for 5 minutes. Add seasonings and stir well. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir and reduce to simmer. Add lentils. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and add in kale. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until kale has wilted a bit but not lost its vibrant color. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Edible Nashville

Ingredients

• 2 pounds onions, halved and sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 1/2 ounces (1 1/4 cups) green or brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• Salt and pepper
• 1 1/4 cups rice
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Preparation

Toss onions and salt together in large bowl. Microwave for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, transfer to paper towel–lined baking sheet, and dry well. Heat onions and oil in Dutch oven over high heat, stirring frequently, until onions are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Reserve 3 tbsp. of the oil from cooking the onions. Drain onions in colander set in large bowl. Transfer onions to paper towel–lined baking sheet to drain.

Whisk the next four ingredients together in bowl. Refrigerate while preparing rice and lentils.

Bring lentils, 4 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt to boil in medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook until lentils are tender, 15 to 17 minutes. Drain and set aside. While lentils cook, place rice in medium bowl and cover by 2 inches with hot tap water; let stand for 15 minutes.

Using your hands, gently swish rice grains to release excess starch. Carefully pour off water, leaving rice in bowl. Add cold tap water to rice and pour off water. Repeat adding and pouring off cold tap water 4 to 5 times, until water runs almost clear. Drain rice in fine-mesh strainer.

Heat reserved onion oil, garlic, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cayenne in Dutch oven over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until edges of rice begin to turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Add 2 1/4 cups water, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to boil. Stir in lentils, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until all liquid is absorbed, about 12 minutes.

Off heat, remove lid, fold dish towel in half, and place over pot; replace lid. Let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff rice and lentils with fork and stir in cilantro and half of crispy onions. Transfer to serving platter, top with remaining crispy onions, and serve, passing yogurt sauce separately.

CI

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. lentils, rinsed
• 4 tsp. olive oil, divided
• 1/3 c. diced carrot
• 1/3 c. diced celery
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
• 1 1/2 c. dry red wine
• 1 1/2 c. water
• 1 tsp. dijon mustard
• 1-2 tsp. spice blend (optional)
• 1/4-1 tsp. salt
• 1/4-1/2 tsp. pepper
• 12 red pearl onions
• 1 lg. bunch kale, washed and chopped coarsely
• 1 tbsp. walnut or almond oil
• loaf rustic bread

Preparation

Parboil the lentils for 5 minutes, drain, and rinse. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and celery. When slightly browned, add garlic and tomato paste and mash into the vegetables. Pour in the wine, water, and mustard. Add the drained lentils, herbs, and a bit of salt. Simmer, covered, until lentils are tender, 30-40 minutes.

While the lentils are cooking, blanch the onions in boiling water for 1 minute, drain, and peel. Put them in a heavy frying pan with the other tbsp. of olive oil and cook over medium heat until tender and beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Add a splash of water or wine near the end to deglaze the pan. Season with salt and pepper and remove from skillet.

Wilt the kale in the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Stir into the lentils. Serve with a swirl of walnut oil, a garnish of pearl onions, and with a thick, toasted slice of rustic bread.

Penzey’s Spices

Ingredients

For the quinoa:

• 3/4 cup regular blond quinoa
• 1/4 cup red quinoa
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt, to taste

For the dal:

• 1 cup brown or split yellow lentils (toor dal), rinsed
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1/2 medium onion (intact), peeled
• Salt to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice or 1/4 cup tamarind water (made from soaking 1 tablespoon tamarind paste in warm water for 10 minutes; optional)
• 2 tablespoons grape seed oil, canola oil, safflower oil or sunflower oil
• 1/2 cup finely minced red bell pepper
• 1 plump garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Cayenne pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Preparation

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and combine with the water and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the white quinoa displays a little white spiral. Turn off the heat, remove the lid and place a dish towel over the top of the pot. Return the lid and let sit for 15 minutes. The quinoa will now be fluffy. Keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, combine the lentils, ginger, turmeric and onion half (don’t chop it) with 1 quart water and salt to taste (about 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons) and bring to a gentle boil. Stir only once to make sure there are no lentils sticking to the bottom of the pot. Reduce the heat to medium – the lentils should simmer briskly – and cook uncovered until the lentils are tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in the lime juice or tamarind concentrate and add another 1/2 cup water. Stir together and simmer for another minute. Turn off the heat and using an immersion blender, an Indian mathani (a wooden tool used for mashing dal) or a wooden Mexican hot chocolate mixer, partially pureé the dal. It should be thick but not like a pureed soup.

3. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a small saucepan or small frying pan (such as an 8-inch omelet pan). Add the cumin seeds and allow to sizzle, stirring, for 10 seconds. Add the garlic and cook until lightly colored, about 15 seconds. Add the red pepper and cook until slightly softened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and pour over the lentils. Add the cayenne pepper and 1 tablespoon of the cilantro and stir gently. Taste and adjust seasoning.

4. Serve the quinoa with the dal spooned on top. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Serves 4 to 6

Martha Rose Shulman, New York Times

Ingredients

• 1 lg. red onion, chopped
• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 2 1/2-3 c. water, divided
• 1-2 tbsp. cayenne (1 tbsp. is hot, 2 is blazing)
• 1/4 tsp. dried ginger
• 1 sm. clove garlic, diced
• 1 c. red lentils, washed
• 1 tbsp. butter or qibe
• 1/4 tsp. salt, to taste
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper, to taste

Preparation

Using a medium pot with a lid, start by sauteeing the onions until light brown, about 6-8 minutes over medium heat. Don’t worry if they stick a bit. Add the oil. Once it is simmering, add 1/4 c. water. Then immediately add the cayenne and the ginger and garlic. It will be a rather thick mix, but keep stirring as it may burn if you don’t. Add the qibe or butter, and about 1 cup water, 1/4 cup at a time, constantly stirring. It is important that you add the water gradually because the cayenne has to cook and blend with the broth. Once you have enough volume in your pot to submerge the lentils, add them. Stir the lentils for about 2 minutes. Then add about a cup of water to the pot and close the lid to let it come to a boil. Once the volume of the pot has considerably come down, 10 minutes or so, start stirring to see if the lentils have cooked. If they are tender and crush easily, it’s time to take your pot off the stove. If not, keep them cooking, checking every 3 minutes, adding a few tbsp. of water so they don’t dry out. For red lentils, the recipe should take around 12 minutes, for green lentils, 20. Let cool a bit, add salt and pepper, and serve warm with bread for dipping.

Penzey’s Spices

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 3 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 pound dried brown lentils, rinsed, drained
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons ground cumin, divided
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast halves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Combine 8 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt in heavy large saucepan over high heat. Add lentils; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well; rinse with cold water and drain again. Place in large bowl.

Whisk 1 cup olive oil, vinegar, 2 tablespoons cumin, 2 tablespoons chili powder, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt in large measuring cup. Pour 1 cup dressing over warm lentils and toss. Cool.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over high heat. Add onion; sauté until dark brown and soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken; sauté 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon cumin, 2 teaspoons chili powder, and cinnamon. Sauté until chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes longer.

Arrange lentils on large platter. Place sliced chicken atop lentils. Drizzle with remaining dressing and sprinkle with parsley. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

Bon Appetit, January 2004