Musur (lentil) Dal

Dal is a must have in a bong meal. Today I bring to you the simple yet tasty Bong Musur Dal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup musur dal (red lentils)
• 1 small onion sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic smashed
• 2-3 green chilies slit lengthwise
• 1/4tsp. turmeric powder  
• Kalo Jeera (kalonji or Nigella seeds)
• 2tsp. mustard oil
• Salt to taste  
• Cilantro (optional) for garnishing

Process:

Wash the dal thoroughly for 3-4 times. Put dal, water (twice the volume of dal), pinch of salt, pinch of turmeric powder in a pressure cooker and cook on high flame til 1 whistle comes. In case you do not have a pressure cooker, cook covered for 15 to 20 minutes.

Allow the cooker to cool (do not open when the pressure is still inside)

Take a frying pan, put 2tbsp. oil and heat it. Temper with kalo jeera and smashed garlic. Fry it for 5-10 seconds (phoron) in medium heat till you get a nice aroma of fried garlic.

Add sliced onions, green chilies and fry it till the onions become golden brown.

Pour boiled dal and add the seasonings (salt and sugar) according to taste. Remember salt is already added during boiling so be careful to adjust for that when you add salt again.

Let it simmer for a minute before you turn off the heat.

Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with plain white rice.