Lentil is dietary staple to many countries. They come in variety of colors and sizes. Enjoy this simple and healthy Whole Black Gram Lentil (Sabut Urad Dal) recipe from VegRasoi.com.

Serves: 6-8

Cooking Time: ~1.15 hours

 

Ingredients

1 cup whole black gram lentils (sabut urad dal) (soaked ~6-8 hours)

4 cups water

2 tbsp oil

¼ tsp cumin seeds

1 small onion (diced) (optional)

3 cloves garlic (minced or diced) (optional)

1 tomato (diced) (optional)

¼ tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp red cayenne pepper powder

1 tsp cilantro / coriander powder

1½ tsp salt

Method

Take a cooking pot with a lid to cover. Heat the oil in the pot. Add the cumin seeds and heat until this sizzles. Now saute the onions until golden brown. Further add garlic, tomatoes, turmeric, red cayenne pepper powder, cilantro / coriander powder and salt to taste. Close the pot lid and cook for ~6-8 minutes or until oil separates for good gravy. Finally, pour the soaked lentil with water in the pot. Cover the pot with the lid and cook for ~45 minutes. Stir the lentil 2-3 times in between. Whole Black Gram Lentil is done when they become tender and water in the lentils thickens and becomes consistent with the lentils.

Suggested Food Pairing: Use this as part of main course with your choice of bread / white rice or side dish.

Tips:

1. Alternatively soak the lentils for ~½ hour and cook this in a pressure cooker for ~15-20 minutes (around 2-3 pressure cooker whistles) to make the lentil quickly and save time!
2. You can also soak ¼ cup red kidney beans (rajma) with ¾ cup whole black lentils to make delicious black lentil kidney beans (dal makhani). Add 2 tbsp yogurt after the onion, tomato, garlic gravy is cooked and stir it for ~2-3 minutes.  Once the lentil (dal) is cooked top it with butter or cream and fresh cilantro / coriander leaves.