Red Lentil and Fried Tomatoes

Preparation Time:

5 minutes

Cooking Time:

25 minutes

Serve With:

Parathas (Indian flat bread) or Basmati Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 ½ cups water
• ½ tsp turmeric, powder
• 1 tbsp cumin, powder
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 small tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 small cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

1. Bring lentils to a boil in 2½ cups of water with salt and turmeric in a medium size heavy bottom sauce pan. Remove any film that forms at the top of the sauce pan.
2. Lower the heat, cover and simmer the lentils for about 15-20 minutes until tender.
3. In a small pan heat 1 tbsp oil and fry onion until golden brown add crushed garlic. Fry ½ minute. Now add chopped tomatoes, cook covered 2-3 minutes. Mix this mixture to lentils.
4. Again in a clean pan heat 1 tbsp oil fry cumin, coriander and chilli powder 30 seconds, add to the lentil add mix well.
5. Remove lentils from heat.
6. Garnish with the fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

Notes:

• Adjust spices according to you taste. Add ½ cup hot water if lentil dal is dry and simmer few more minutes.
• Important: Please do not over cook. Keep a watchful eye on the lentils - they can get mushy if not watched carefully.