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Prep Time 10 minutesmins
Cook Time 30 minutesmins
tempering 10 minutesmins
Total Time 50 minutesmins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine Indian, Pakistani
Servings 6People
Calories 362kcal
Ingredients
1.5cupsmasoor daal(red lentils)
4cupswater
1.5teaspoonginger/garlic paste
3serrano chillies
2tomatoes
3teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonred chilli powder
½teaspoonturmeric powder
2cupstamarind water(see notes)
¼cupcooking oil(see notes)
5garlic cloves finely chopped
1 teaspooncumin seeds
1teaspoonmustard seeds
15curry leaves
2dry red chillies
¼cupchopped cilantro
Instructions
Combine the lentils, water, ginger/garlic paste, serrano chillies, tomatoes, salt, red chili powder and turmeric.
For INSTANT POT, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and do a 5-minute release before venting and opening the lid.
For STOVE TOP, cook on high till the mixture begins to boil, and then cook on medium heat for 20 minutes till everything is tender and well blended. You should have a thin, soupy consistency by the end.
Add the tamarind water (or paste) at this point and mix well. (see notes)
In a small frying pan, heat ¼ cup oil and saute the garlic cloves, cumin seeds, mustard seed, dry red chilies, and curry leaves (in that order) till everything is well roasted and aromatic.
Pour this tempering (oil included) over the lentil curry.
Garnish with cilantro and serve.
Notes
Masoor Dal - I use red lentils for this curry, enjoying the soupy consistency. If you want a thicker dal, use pigeon pea lentils instead.Tamarind Water - Soak a 7 oz. Block seedless tamarind in 6 cups of water to make the tamarind water. Use either 2 cups of this water or 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste to the lentil curry at the end, just before tempering the curry. Adjust this quantity to make the khatti dal more or less sour per your preference.Cooking Oil - I use canola or avocado oil for this recipe. However, ghee adds a rich and nutty flavor to the lentil curry. Use 2 tablespoon ghee per ¼ cup of cooking oil if you want to go that route.