Masoor dal curry is popularly known as sabut masoor ki dal / masoor chi usal or whole brown lentil curry. This is a healthy, vegan, protein-rich, diabetic-friendly, fiber-rich, gluten-free and beginner-friendly recipe that is often made for a quick weekday lunch or dinner.
Dal or dhal is an essential part of the Indian main course. Made with lentils either whole or split, dal is considered as comfort food that is served along with steamed rice, roti, chapati, or naan.
Ingredients
1 cup Whole brown lentils (sabut masoor dal)
1 large Onion finely chopped
2 Tomatoes – pureed in a blender
3 Garlic cloves
1/2 inch Ginger
1 green chilli
1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
1 teaspoon Jeera (Cumin Seeds)
1/4th teaspoon Hing
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
2 teaspoon Coriander Powder
1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
1 teaspoon Goda Masala Powder ( you can omit this if not available)
1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
Salt to taste
Cilantro / Coriander leaves to garnish
Water to cook
1 tablespoon Oil for tempering
Method- Now before we start making this sabut masoor dal (whole brown lentil curry), we need to do some beforehand preparation of soaking this lentil in water overnight or at least for 4-5 hours.
- If you want to make this curry for lunch, soak this dal on the previous night for approximately 8-9 hours and if making it for dinner you can soak the lentils in the morning for about 5-6 hours. (Soaking dal / lentil is not compulsory, you may just rinse the dal / lentils under water and cook them directly)
- Once soaked, drain the water and rinse the sabut masoor dal (whole brown lentil curry) under running tap water and keep it aside.
- Let’s coarsely crush ginger, garlic and green chilles. I have used mortar-pestle to make the paste.
- In a Kadai / saucepan heat oil. 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.
- Let’s add crushed ginger-garlic-green chilli paste to this onion and saute till the raw smell goes away.
- Now add the tomato puree. I have used fresh tomatoes. You may use canned tomatoes or storebought tomato puree as well. Mix well and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Now add 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 cooked 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.