Dairy-Free Dal Bhat (Lentil Soup with Rice)

Ingredients

• 1 cup Red lentils
• 6 cups Water
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Cumin powder
• 1 tsp Coriander powder
• 1 inch Ginger
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
• 2 whole Dry red chilies
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 4 cups Spinach

Instructions

1. 1Rinse the 1 cup of red lentils under cold water. Place the rinsed lentils in a large heavy-bottomed pot with the 6 cups of water and the 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are very soft and have broken down. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
2. 2While the lentils are simmering, measure the 2 cups of basmati rice into a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to your preferred method until tender and fluffy. Keep the cooked rice warm.
3. 3Prepare the aromatics and spices for tempering. Finely mince the 3 cloves of garlic and grate the 1-inch piece of ginger. Have the 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds and 2 whole dry red chilies ready.
4. 4In a small saucepan, heat the 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds and the 2 whole dry red chilies. Cook for about 30-60 seconds, until the mustard seeds begin to pop and splutter. Immediately add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
5. 5Carefully pour the hot oil mixture (the tempering) from the small saucepan into the pot with the cooked lentils. Add the 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of cumin powder, and 1 tsp of coriander powder to the pot. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine.
6. 6Add the 4 cups of spinach to the pot of lentils. Stir gently until the spinach wilts into the hot dal, which should take about 1-2 minutes. The dal is ready when the spinach has softened.
7. 7Serve the cooked dal hot alongside the warm basmati rice.

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