Home > Recipes > Curries > Masala dal (garlicky spiced lentils)

Masala dal (garlicky spiced lentils)

Name: Masala dal (garlicky spiced lentils)
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Indian recipes
Ingredients: 200g yellow and red lentils (or all red); ½ tsp ground turmeric; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; ½ tsp black mustard seeds; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 2cm piece of fresh ginger, grated; 2 garlic cloves, chopped; 6 fresh or dried curry leaves (Waitrose stocks the dried variety); 1 green chilli, deseeded and chopped; 1 tsp Patak’s Garam Masala Paste; 200g can chopped tomatoes; 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander; Juice of ½ lemon

Published: 31 Oct 05
Updated: 4 Mar 25

This Masala dal recipe, or garlicky spiced lentils, is so quick and easy to make and will please vegetarians too.

Easy
November 2005

Test kitchen approved

Serves 4
Ready in 35 minutes

This Masala dal recipe, or garlicky spiced lentils, is so quick and easy to make and will please vegetarians too.

Save recipe

Save

Save recipe Print

Rate

Ingredients

200g yellow and red lentils (or all red)
½ tsp ground turmeric
2 tbsp vegetable oil
½ tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
2cm piece of fresh ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves, chopped
6 fresh or dried curry leaves (Waitrose stocks the dried variety)
1 green chilli, deseeded and chopped
1 tsp Patak’s Garam Masala Paste
200g can chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
Juice of ½ lemon

Cook Mode Sticky screen? No thanks! Tap to prevent your screen from going off while cooking.

Method

Pour 600ml boiling water into a saucepan. Add the lentils and turmeric. Simmer, partially covered, for 15-20 minutes until they have softened and absorbed most of the water. Add more water if necessary. Remove from the heat.
In another saucepan, heat the oil over a medium heat. Add the mustard and cumin seeds. When they begin to crackle, add the ginger, garlic, curry leaves and chilli. Fry for 1 minute, then add the garam masala paste and tomatoes. Fry for a few more minutes, then spoon into the lentils. Season with salt, to taste.
Bring to the boil, then stir in the coriander and lemon juice.