Sabut Masoor Ki Dal | Masoor Dal Usal | Whole Brown Lentil Curry (Stovetop)
This is a healthy, vegan, protein-rich, diabetic-friendly, fibre-rich, and beginner-friendly recipe that is often made for a quick weekday lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sabut Masoor (Whole Brown Lentils)
- 1 large Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tomatoes, pureed in blender
- 3 Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 inch Ginger
- 1 Green Chilli
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
- 1/4th teaspoon Hing (asafoetida)
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 2 teaspoons Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Goda Masala Powder ( you can skip this if not available)
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
- Salt to taste
- Cilantro / Coriander leaves to garnish
- Water to cook
- 2 tablespoons Oil for tempering
Instructions
- Wash and soak the lentils /dal in water overnight or at least for 5-6 hours. (Soaking dal / lentil is not compulsory, you may just rinse the dal / lentils under water and cook them directly) but soaking dal helps in eliminating the bloating and helps to cook the dal faster.
- Once soaked, drain the water and rinse the sabut masoor dal (whole brown lentil curry) under running tap water and keep it aside.
- Coarsely crush ginger, garlic and green chilles. I have used mortar-pestle to make the paste.
- Heat oil in saucepan. Add mustard seeds and let them crackle. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 15 seconds.
- Add hing (Asafoetida) and finely chopped onions. Saute the onions till they are translucent. No need to completely cook them.
- Add crushed ginger-garlic-green chilli paste to this onion and saute till the raw smell fades away.
- Add tomato puree. I have used fresh tomatoes. You may use canned tomatoes or store-bought tomato puree as well. Mix well and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add spices, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, red chilli powder & goda masala (optional). Mix well so that the spices get nicely incorporated into the onion-tomato mixture.
- Add the soaked masoor dal / brown lentil along with salt and sugar.
- Add 2 cups of water to cook the dal/curry (adjust the water as per the consistency you require).
- Cover the pan with a lid and let the lentils cook for about 15-20 minutes till tender. Stir occasionally.
- Sabut Masoor ki Dal (Whole brown lentil curry) is ready.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and squeeze lemon over it. Serve hot with flatbread or rice.
Video
Notes
I have used tomato puree in this recipe. You may add finely chopped tomatoes or canned tomatoes too.
You can add Kasuri methi ie dried fenugreek leaves or powder to enhance the taste if you like. I normally do not add but on a special occasion, I include Kasuri methi which goes well with naan or tandoori paratha.
