Life Saving Dal

This recipe is called “Life Saving Dal.”  I can attest to the accuracy of the title. It’s the one thing I feel like eating every day, especially while I’m social distancing and sequestering myself at home. A self-proclaimed lentil-lover, I find this dish to be the perfect comfort food. I always add a fried egg on top to round it out and typically serve it with some Norwegian seedy crackers (Trader Joes) or grainy toast to scoop up every last lentil. The recipe is from Simon Majumdar’s wonderfully-titled book “Eat My Globe.”

Simon’s Recipe for Life Saving Dal from Eat My Globe

1 cup red lentils

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cardamom pod

2 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 chopped onion

1 chopped garlic clove

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 chopped fresh green chili (I usually use serrano and remove most of the seeds and ribs, adjust to your level of spice preference and use rubber gloves to avoid fiery fingers)

1 unpeeled and unwaxed lemon, chopped in quarters

1 bag spinach (I use Trader Joes or farmer’s market bag, about 6 ounces)

In a small pan, over medium heat, dry toast lentils until they begin to release a nutty aroma – a few minutes should be all it takes. Set aside.

Warm a medium saucepan over low heat and add the oil. When hot, put in the cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Cook for 1 minute until spices begin to release their flavor. Add the onion and garlic and cook until they begin to soften. Stir in the turmeric, ginger, salt and chili and mix well with the onion/garlic mixture. Cook this mixture for 2 minutes. If it begins to stick, add a little water.

Now add the pre-toasted lentils to the saucepan and combine everything so that the lentils are covered with the mixture. Add a pint of water and the lemon and simmer for 25 minutes until the lentils are soft. If the lentils start to dry out, add more water as necessary.

Add the spinach, stir, allow to wilt. This should take a minute or two.

Remove spices and lemon before serving.

I find this dish lasts for at least a week except that mine is never around that long. 😊