Masoor Dal with Fried Onion Garnish

This is a recipe from Punjab. It is an absolutely lovely dal with a very pleasant taste and may be served with rice or scouped up with flat bread.
If you like you may substitute all spices with 2 tbsp. of Ajika Lentil spices.
Ingredients
  • 7 oz. or 1/2 package Ajika Masoor Dal washed and rinsed with 2-3 changes of water and drained
  • 1/2 t turmeric powder (haldi)
  • 1 t ginger paste
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 package of frozen spinach
  • 1 ripe tomato diced
  • ½ t of garam masala
Spice Seasonings 
  • 2 T ghee or vegetable oil
  • 1 t cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1-2 whole red chilies
  • 1/2 t asafetida (hing)
  • 2 t ground coriander powder
Fresh Seasoning
  • 1 thinly sliced onion pan fried till crispy brown
Garnish
  • 4 T chopped cilantro
Method:
  • Add 3 cups of water to a heavy pot and add the dal, 1 tbsp of ghee or oil, turmeric, ginger and salt to taste and boil the dal. Reduce heat add the spinach and garam masala and let it simmer.
  • As the dal is simmering heat ghee in a small sauce pan and fry the cumin seeds and red chilies till they brown. Add the asafetida. Add the coriander powder and fry the seasonings. For 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour the seasonings in the pot of dal and let it continue to simmer on low. Adjust the water so that the dal has the consistency you like( from soup like consistency to thick soup pour over rice or to eat with flat bread)
  • Fold in the onion garnish and if you like garnish with chopped cilantro.

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