{"id":"9de20417-37fd-4d6e-a2aa-5f9f759c5486","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/9de20417-37fd-4d6e-a2aa-5f9f759c5486","source_url":"https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/masoor-dal-easy-masoor-dal/","title":"Masoor Dal Recipe (Easy Red Lentil Dal)","description":"Masoor Dal is a spiced lentil dish prepared with hulled and split red lentils simmered with onions, tomatoes, herbs and spices. The lentils cook to a soft and creamy consistency. This Indian red lentils recipe is easy, nutritious and perfect for everyday meals. Serve hot with rice, roti or paratha.","servings":4,"servings_text":"4","prep_time":"PT15M","cook_time":"PT15M","total_time":"PT30M","image_url":"https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/masoor-dal-recipe-red-lentils.jpg","ingredients":[{"text":"½ cup masoor dal (or red lentils (hulled & split))","item":"masoor dal (or red lentils (hulled & split))","quantity":0.5,"unit":"cup"},{"text":"1.5 to 1.75 cups water (for pressure cooking dal)","item":"water","quantity":1.5,"quantity_max":1.75,"unit":"cup","preparation":"for pressure cooking dal"},{"text":"2 tablespoons oil","item":"oil","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"1 teaspoon cumin seeds","item":"cumin seeds","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"⅓ cup or 1 medium onion (– finely chopped)","item":"or 1 medium onion","quantity":0.3333333333333333,"unit":"cup","preparation":"– finely chopped"},{"text":"2 to 3 garlic cloves ((small to medium-sized), crushed or finely chopped)","item":"garlic cloves ((small to medium-sized)","quantity":2,"quantity_max":3,"preparation":"crushed or finely chopped)"},{"text":"1 teaspoon or 1 inch ginger (– finely chopped)","item":"or 1 inch ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"– finely chopped"},{"text":"1 to 2 or ½ to 1 teaspoon green chillies (– chopped or slit)","item":"or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon green chillies","quantity":1,"quantity_max":2,"preparation":"– chopped or slit"},{"text":"1 to 2 dry red chilies (– broken and seeds removed, optional)","item":"dry red chilies","quantity":1,"quantity_max":2,"preparation":"– broken and seeds removed, optional"},{"text":"½ cup or 1 medium-sized tomatoes (– chopped)","item":"or 1 medium-sized tomatoes","quantity":0.5,"unit":"cup","preparation":"– chopped"},{"text":"¼ or ½ teaspoon red chili powder (or cayenne pepper)","item":"red chili powder","quantity":0.25,"quantity_max":0.5,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"or cayenne pepper"},{"text":"1 generous pinch asafoetida ((hing))","item":"generous pinch asafoetida ((hing))","quantity":1},{"text":"¼ or ½ teaspoon garam masala ((homemade garam masala powder can be just ¼ teaspoon))","item":"garam masala ((homemade garam masala powder can be just 1/4 teaspoon))","quantity":0.25,"quantity_max":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"½ teaspoon turmeric powder ((ground turmeric))","item":"turmeric powder ((ground turmeric))","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1 to 1.5 cups water ( or add as required)","item":"water","quantity":1,"quantity_max":1.5,"unit":"cup","preparation":"or add as required"},{"text":"salt (as required)","item":"salt","preparation":"as required"},{"text":"1 teaspoon dry fenugreek leaves (– crushed (kasuri methi), optional)","item":"dry fenugreek leaves (– crushed (kasuri methi)","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"optional)"},{"text":"1 to 2 tablespoons coriander leaves (– chopped (cilantro))","item":"coriander leaves (– chopped (cilantro))","quantity":1,"quantity_max":2,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"½ or 1 teaspoon lemon juice ( or according to taste)","item":"lemon juice","quantity":0.5,"quantity_max":1,"unit":"tsp","preparation":"or according to taste"},{"text":"1 tablespoon coriander leaves (– chopped for garnish, optional)","item":"coriander leaves","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp","preparation":"– chopped for garnish, optional"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Pick and rinse the red lentils (masoor dal) a few times in water.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":2,"text":"Drain the water and add the lentils to a 3-litre stovetop pressure cooker. Also add 1.5 to 1.75 cups water to the lentils in the cooker.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":3,"text":"Pressure cook for 5 to 6 whistles on medium heat until the lentils become soft and mushy.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":4,"text":"Let the pressure drop naturally in the cooker, and then only open the lid.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":5,"text":"When the lentils are softened and cooked well, mash lightly with a wooden spoon or whisk lightly with a wired whisk.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":6,"text":"Keep the cooked red lentils aside. If lentils are undercooked, then add some more water and pressure cook for a few minutes more.","section":"Cooking Lentils"},{"number":7,"text":"In another pan or pot, heat oil. Keep the heat to a low. Add cumin seeds and fry the cumin seeds till they crackle.","section":"Making onion-tomato masala"},{"number":8,"text":"Then add onions and sauté stirring often till they are light golden on low to medium-low heat.","section":"Making onion-tomato masala"},{"number":9,"text":"Add chopped ginger and garlic. Stir and fry for 10 to 15 seconds or till the raw aroma of ginger and garlic goes away.","section":"Making onion-tomato masala"},{"number":10,"text":"Add green chilies and red chilies. Stir to mix.","section":"Making onion-tomato masala"},{"number":11,"text":"Add all the ground spices - turmeric powder, red chilli powder or cayenne pepper, garam masala powder one by one including asafoetida (hing) and stir to mix on a low heat.","section":"Making onion-tomato masala"},{"number":12,"text":"Add the finely chopped tomatoes and sauté on medium-low heat till the oil separates and the tomatoes become mushy and soft.","section":"Making onion-tomato masala"},{"number":13,"text":"Add the cooked and lightly mashed red lentils. Pour 1 to 1.5 cups water depending on the consistency you prefer. So you can adjust the quantity of water as required and add bit by bit as you go on mixing.","section":"Making Masoor Dal"},{"number":14,"text":"Add salt as required and stir again. Simmer for 6 to 7 minutes more on a low to medium heat till you get the desired consistency in the dal.","section":"Making Masoor Dal"},{"number":15,"text":"Masoor dal is neither thick nor thin and has a medium consistency.","section":"Making Masoor Dal"},{"number":16,"text":"Add crushed dry fenugreek leaves and simmer for 1 minute.","section":"Making Masoor Dal"},{"number":17,"text":"Lastly add lemon juice and 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) and stir to mix. Switch off the heat.","section":"Making Masoor Dal"},{"number":18,"text":"You can also garnish the Masoor Dal with coriander leaves while serving. Serve the Red Lentils hot with steamed basmati rice or roti or chapati.","section":"Making Masoor Dal"}],"date_published":"2026-10-30T23:49:20.566577+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-30T23:49:20.566577+00:00"}