Sri Lankan dal

foldermain | sri-lankan

sri-lankan-dal

from Chintha

Ingredients

1½ tablespoons coconut oil or peanut oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stake curry leaves
5 dried red chilies
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1½ cups chana dal (yellow split peas), rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon turmeric
2-inch piece cinnamon stick
2 cloves, crushed
2 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1½ cups coconut milk
salt to taste

Method

  1. Place a large saucepan over medium heat, and add oil. When it shimmers, add onion and garlic; sauté for 2 minutes. Add curry leaves, chilies and mustard seeds; sauté for 1 minute.
  2. Add dal, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, fenugreek and 1½ cups coconut milk. Stir in 2½ cups water.
    Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until dal is soft, 30 to 40 minutes. Do not allow mixture to become dry on bottom; if necessary, add a small amount of water.
  3. When dal is soft, add remaining 1/4 cup coconut milk. Season to taste with salt. Remove cinnamon stick, and serve hot.

There is a simpler version here.

Related recipes