Saturday, November 15, 2008

Bengali Dal

West Bengal's food is characterized by a slightly sweet and spicy taste. It's absolutely delicious! I've had this several times at restaurants and friend's houses, but this was the first time I made it at home. And it was wonderfully flavorful and comforting.


Bengali Dal
(recipe from Bong Mom's Cookbook)

1 cup Masoor Dal or Split Red Lentils, washed
1 red Onion, sliced
1 Tomato, chopped fine
2-3 Green Chillies, chopped fine

1 1/2 tsp Panch Phoron, for tempering

4 tsp Lime Juice, for garnish
1/4 cup Cilantro Leaves, chopped, for garnish

1/2 tsp or less Sugar
1 pinch Turmeric Powder
Salt, as needed
Oil, as needed

Cook the lentils with about 2 1/2 cups of water and the turmeric. Once cooked, mash well, and keep aside.

Heat some oil in a saute pan, and add the Panch Phoron mixture to temper. Add the sliced onions and fry until translucent. Add the chillies and tomatoes until the tomatoes are soft and pulpy.

Now add the cooked lentils and mix well. Let them cook and combine together. Add salt, sugar and 3-4 cups of water (depending on how watery you'd like the dal). Stir occasionally. The dal will begin to thicken. Continue to cook to the consistency of dal that you desire.

Remove from heat. Garnish with lime juice and/or cilantro.



My fellow marathoners:
DK, Siri, Srivalli, Ranji, PJ, Curry Leaf, Medha, Priya, Bhawna, Raaji, Ruchii, Kamala, Roopa, Divya Kudua, Rekha, Divya, Lakshmi, Raaga, Lakshmi, Sripriya, Viji, Kamalika, Pavani, Karuna and Roochi.

11 comments:

Sunshinemom said...

Delicious dal! I love masur dal, but give the sugar a miss. I too became a fan of Bengali food after having tasted packed lunches of Bengali school friends.

Sunshinemom said...

Amazing! I just needed a biryani recipe without curd & mushrooms are my fave anyway! Thanks:)

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

This sounds really really good! I hadn't heard of panch phoron before, but not I know what is in it, I can try to reproduce it. Thankks for the recipe :)

Anonymous said...

This is a true comfort food for bongs (me being a bong) :-)

glad u liked it.

Bhawana said...

Good one Anu. I also made one type of bangali dal. lovely.

Unknown said...

Dal with panchpuran seasoning, delish. Looks very comforting....

CurryLeaf said...

Looks lovely .Never tried dal with panchphoron seasoning,though I like Bengali food.

Sagari said...

love the dal recipe arudathi

Unknown said...

nice recipe different one willtry this

Pavani said...

looks yummy ...mouthwatering

Arundathi said...

Sunshinemom - Thanks. (think you meant the next comment for someone else!)

Holler - You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it too.

Soma - Yup, i thought it was pretty comforting too

Bhawana - thanks

Madhu - Yes it is. thanks.

Curry Leaf - Do try it - its delicious

Sagari - thanks

Rekhas Kitchen - cool

G Pavani - thanks