Tag: cumin seeds

Simple Yellow Daal (lentils)

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July 19th, 2017 – an update:

Yesterday I posted a picture of a simple bowl of lentils that I had as soup for lunch.

Many people asked for the recipe and so here it is.

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I am surprised that I haven’t blogged the recipe for Lentils – maybe because they are so easy to make but let me remedy that.

There are many many lentils in Indian cuisine – some can be cooked in 20 minutes and others take much longer.

The following is mung daal – split yellow lentils, not to be confused with split yellow peas.

You will need:

A cup of lentils

1 tsp cumin seeds

a couple of dried red chilies (optional)

salt to taste

1/4 tsp. turmeric powder

1 tbs ghee, butter or oil

To make:

Add the lentils with two cups of water to a boil.  When it comes to a boil, you will see some foam – just skim it off a couple of times.  Now add the salt and turmeric. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook the lentils for about 20 minutes or until soft.

In saute pan, heat the fat yo are using and add the cumin seeds and red chili if using.  Let the seeds sizzle for a couple of minutes and as soon as the lentils are cooked – add the hot fat with the cumin seeds to them – stir well and your lentils are ready.

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Simple Yellow Daal (lentils)

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July 19th, 2017 – an update:

Yesterday I posted a picture of a simple bowl of lentils that I had as soup for lunch.

Many people asked for the recipe and so here it is.

IMG_3178

I am surprised that I haven’t blogged the recipe for Lentils – maybe because they are so easy to make but let me remedy that.

There are many many lentils in Indian cuisine – some can be cooked in 20 minutes and others take much longer.

The following is mung daal – split yellow lentils, not to be confused with split yellow peas.

You will need:

A cup of lentils

1 tsp cumin seeds

a couple of dried red chilies (optional)

salt to taste

1/4 tsp. turmeric powder

1 tbs ghee, butter or oil

To make:

Add the lentils with two cups of water to a boil.  When it comes to a boil, you will see some foam – just skim it off a couple of times.  Now add the salt and turmeric. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook the lentils for about 20 minutes or until soft.

In saute pan, heat the fat yo are using and add the cumin seeds and red chili if using.  Let the seeds sizzle for a couple of minutes and as soon as the lentils are cooked – add the hot fat with the cumin seeds to them – stir well and your lentils are ready.

IMG_5903

THE MOST DELICIOUS POTATOES EVER – I guarantee it – AKA achaari aloo

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I learned to make these amazing potatoes over a decade ago from a friend of mine.

I make them at home every chance I get and have been teaching them in my cooking classes forever.

The word Achaar mean Indian pickle.

All the spices used in this dish are those that are added to Indian pickles – hence my name of Achaari Aloo – Aloo is potato.

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Let me list the spices:

whole coriander seeds

fennel seeds

black mustard seeds

nigella seeds (kalongi)

fenugreek seeds (use sparingly or don’t use em at all)

cumin seeds

carom seeds (very few or leave out)

whole red chilies

mango powder (aamchoor)

turmeric powder

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Heat up some oil and add all the spices except the mango powder and turmeric, and cook for a couple of minutes or until the black mustard seeds pop and you start to smell all the spices.

Get ready for your kitchen to smell yummy.

Next add some beaten yogurt along with the turmeric.

Stir and add water depending on the consistency that you are looking for.

Add salt at any point.

Now add boiled, cubed potatoes and stir well.

Add the mango powder and cook just until the potatoes are brought up to temperature.

Taste for salt.  Add some cayenne pepper if the red chilies weren’t spicy enough.

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I serve these with pooris (deep fried bread) which I will talk about in another post.

I sometimes mash the potatoes in the pot to create the look you see above.  You do what you like.

Serve with rice, pita or anything you like really.

Please try these potatoes – they are amazingly simple and delicious.

Until I cook again!