This carrot dal features two types of lentils simmered with basic Indian spices and carrots. Eat it as a soup or pair it with rice or roti. Under 30 minutes. Vegan and gluten-free.
½teaspoonKashmiri red chili powderOR chili powder of choice
Salt to taste
Add after cooking
3cupschopped baby spinachoptional
Lemonfreshly squeezed juice
Fistful of chopped Cilantrooptional
For Rice (PIP method)
1cupbasmati rice
1 ½cupswater
½teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Rinse lentil in a fine mesh colander 3 times and drain excess water.
Follow the step below only if you are cooking rice along with the lentils.
Take a pressure cooker proof bowl that is 3 times the size of uncooked rice.
Measure and put dry rice in it. Wash rice under cold tap water while gently rubbing it with your fingertips.
Drain water and repeat the process 3 times.
Drain all water completely and add fresh water and salt to it. Keep aside.
Cooking in an Instant Pot
Add in ghee/oil to the inner pot.
Press sauté mode, once warm add hing, cumin, ginger, garlic and slit chili.
Sautee for 10 seconds.
Then add in tomatoes, carrots, spices, and ¼ cup water and stir for 30 seconds.
Next add in remaining water, dal and salt.
Give it a quick stir.
Place a long leg trivet used for pot in pot cooking.
Then place the rice container over it and cover it with a small lid.
Secure the instant pot lid with the black knob to SEALING position.
Press Manual 4 MINUTES HIGH PRESSURE.
Let the pressure come down naturally. (NPR)
Once the silver pin of Instant pot drops Open the lid, take out the rice container with a potholder.
Start the instant pot on sauté mode.
Now stir in chopped spinach to the dal.
Cook for two minutes stirring occasionally on sauté mode.
Give it a taste check and adjust any seasoning.
Add in chopped cilantro if desired.
Just before serving squeeze lemon juice in the dal.
Serve hot with rice or Rotis.
Notes
Authentic Indian lentil recipes are made with ghee.If Vegan, use neutral tasting oil like avocado oil.Lentils do not require soaking.However, if you soak basmati rice for at least 20-30 minutes before cooking the results are great.For Pot in Pot cooking, you will require a long leg trivet. You can find it easily on amazon.
Possible vegetable substitutes
You may add in chopped onionsSwap carrots with sweet potatoes or pumpkinSwap spinach with your choice of greens like kale or swiss chard.
Important tips to make a great tasting dal
If cooking dal and rice pot in pot method then use the type of dal that matches the cooking time of the rice.
This dal recipe uses a combination of fresh green chilies and dry red chili powder for authentic taste.
Always adjust the seasoning to your spice level.
This Indian lentil recipe is made more nutritious with carrots and spinach. (Completely optional)
You can just make a basic dal recipe without adding veggies, but I highly recommend adding them.
A generous squeeze of lemon juice just before eating really elevates the taste of dal.
Dal thickens after cooling. Just revive any leftover using little water to reach desired consistency.
Can you freeze dal?
Leftover dal freezes beautifully and makes a great freezer-friendly meal in a jiffy.Freeze cooked dal up to 3 months in the freezer.Here is what you will do –
Just place the cooked lentils in one-time use portion size in a freezer-safe container or a ziplock bag and label it.
To thaw the dal place the container from the freezer to the fridge overnight or over the counter for 2 hours.
Dal thickens after cooking. You may have to add some water to reach proper consistency.