Tarka Dhal

[kiteless]

An acquired taste, I admit. And, no. It's not an otter curry.....

Does anyone have a tried and tested recipe for this unusually moreish garlicky lentil gloop?

[jas xjr]

will post a recipe tomorrow if no-one else does. bit late , do not want to get it wrong

[Mobile Chicane]

kiteless said:

An acquired taste, I admit. And, no. It's not an otter curry.....

Does anyone have a tried and tested recipe for this unusually moreish garlicky lentil gloop?

I prefer it with yellow split peas:

225g split peas, soaked overnight, with water to cover.
Boil until soft with half a teaspoon of turmeric.

Meanwhile, make the spiced butter:

Heat 75g of butter or ghee
Toast 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds
Sweat together the butter/ghee plus the cumin seeds, 1 large onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1 red chilli (finely chopped). The onion/spice mixture should be cooked darker than a western dish - until a nutty golden brown.

Add the spiced butter to the cooked lentils / peas and beat together.

Garnish with chopped fresh coriander. Enjoy.

Edited by Mobile Chicane on Tuesday 9th February 23:00

[FunkyGibbon]

I like my dhal to be very thick so:

couple of handfuls of red lentils in a heavy bottomed pan
cover with boiling water
add sliced garlic (I like loads)
add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
add good pinch of salt
bring to boil and then reduce heat to minimum
leave until the lentils have all exploded (this can take 1 - 1.5 hrs)

for the tarka:

heat groundnut oil
fry sliced garlic to the point it is almost burnt (takes some practice)
add some chopped dried Kashmiri chillies
add cumin seeds
add pinch of asafoetida

then pour the tarka on top of the dall and cover the pot (don't stir yet)

take pot to the table to serve - lift the lid and marvel at the wonderful aromas - then stir.

Eat with your favourite breads and/or rice.

Enjoy

ps I tend to make large batches of dhal, as it freezes well. Then when I want some I reheat a portion and cook the tarka fresh.

[kiteless]

Cheers people

Just another question: the garlic - sliced or crushed?

[jas xjr]

kiteless said:

Cheers people

Just another question: the garlic - sliced or crushed?

i like it sliced but how do you prefer it?
as far as i am concerned there is no right or wrong way to cook food. do it how you like it.
i like it chunky and rustic. but i prefer big flavours , my palate is not very subtle

[Mobile Chicane]

kiteless said:

Cheers people

Just another question: the garlic - sliced or crushed?

Either. Just take the green shoot out.

[Kneetrembler]

kiteless said:

An acquired taste, I admit. And, no. It's not an otter curry.....

Does anyone have a tried and tested recipe for this unusually moreish garlicky lentil gloop?

See my recipe in Curry Recipes !