Luxury Dhal
recipe for my wicked dhal

Serve this dhal as a side dish to any curry.

What you'll need (to serve 4):

How to make 'em:

Can be made in advance (and frozen):

1. Cover the lentils with the water and leave to soak.
2. Coarsely chop half the onion and finely chop the rest.
3. Cut half the tomatoes into small chunks and finely dice the rest.
4. Heat half the ghee in a heavy-based pan.
5. Fry the garlic, coarsely chopped onions and tomato chunks for 5 minute, until the mixture has cooked to a golden-brown paste.
6. pour in the lentils and their soaking water and bring to the boil.
7. Add the turmeric, chilli powder and coconut milk and simmer for about 30 minutes until the red lentils have broken down (the green ones will stay intact).
8. Season to taste with some salt and remove from the heat.

When you're ready to eat:

9. Heat the rest of the ghee in a large, deep frying pan.
10. Add the mustard seeds, cover the pan with a lid and fry until they pop.
11. Add the ginger, the rest of the onions and tomatoes and the chillies.
12. Cook for 5 minutes and then pour everything into the lentil mixture.
13. Add the coriander and stir well.

It's important that steps 9 to 13 are done just before the food is about to be served, i.e. not as part of the frozen stage. Its the freshly fried tomatoes and spices that really bring the dhal to life.