Preparation time: 15 minutes (to soak dhal)
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Parsi Dhal is a unique blend of delicate spices to create the most delicious, hearty lentil dish. Just add 200g of your favourite lentils and 200g of tomatoes to create this amazing accompaniment to your meal - or have it as a meal in itself with warm naan or crusty bread.
At home, we often have dhal with a home-made biryani, kofta kebabs (spicy meatballs) or a piece of fried fish, along with boiled potatoes cooked with garlic, chilli and a sprinkling of coriander.
Dhal is also the middle element to the traditional, three layer meal that mum would cook for us on birthdays or special occasions. The first layer being rice and the top layer being prawn or fish pathia.
Parsi Dahl (serves 4)
- Soak 200g of lentils in hot water for 15 minutes, then drain remaining water.
- Lightly fry the contents of the spice kit in one tablespoon of ghee (or cooking oil) for two minutes.
- Stir in 200g of chopped tomatoes.
- Add two tablespoons of vinegar.
- Add two teaspoons of sugar.
- Add the lentils.
- Add 500ml of hot water and boil until the water is almost fully absorbed.
- Once cooked, blend if preferred.
My preference is red split lentils, but you can experiment with any lentils, chickpeas or pulses.
Fried onion (contains wheat), garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, salt, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, chilli powder