Masala Masoor with Wilted Spinach and Brown Rice

Our friend Trisha's mom is an expert in traditional Indian cooking. When Trisha found out that I want to learn how to make delicious Indian food, she told her mom, who sent us a packet of recipes from a cooking class she used to teach in State College, PA. Her mom also sent us several containers of different delicious Indian spices to make her recipes! We were so excited and we couldn't wait to try out one of the dishes. Tonight was our first attempt at Masala Masoor, and it was incredible. Masoor dal - red lentils - are used in this dish. I followed the directions exactly as she wrote them (which I don't normally do), and I am so glad I did because it was perfect.

Masala Masoor

(Recipe from Sadhna Agrawal)

2 cups masoor dal (whole)

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 long green hot pepper, minced (we used a jalapeno)

1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tbsp. ghee (purified butter) or oil (we used olive oil)

1 tsp. whole cumin seeds

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. red chili powder (optional)

2 tsp. coriander powder

Salt to taste (about 2 tsp.)

Pick over masoor dal and wash and soak for at least 4 hours.

Heat the oil or ghee and add the cumin seeds and let them splutter for a few seconds (I cooked them for about 1 minute). Now add the onions and fry for five minutes and then add the minced ginger, green chili and garlic. Fry until golden.

Next add the turmeric powder and fry again for a few seconds and fold in the rest of the ingredients. Add about 3 cups of water and cook in a pressure cooker and give it at least 10 minutes after the whistle starts. If cooking in a pot, add some more water and cook on medium heat until the dal is well cooked (I cooked in a pot - it took about 45 minutes).

If desired, garnish with chopped fresh tomatoes and fresh coriander. Always serve hot with a little bit of butter drizzled on top. Goes very well with plain basmati rice.

We also wilted some spinach as a side, along with cooked brown rice. I can't wait to make this again!