December 2021

Winter Warmth Dal

So it's FINALLY chilly here (by Arizona standards). I can see snow on the mountains from the parking lot at work- the first time of the season. That means I want warm food.

The pantry was pretty empty, but I found a bag of lentils way in the back so I googled a recipe, tweaked it, and came up with this and it's REALLY good. There are a few steps, not many, but since it's an Instant Pot you gotta do them bit by bit. That means scroll to the end to see each installment of ingredients. 

Step 1 Ingredients:

1 cup brown lentils

3 cups broth (I used chicken but vegetable would work for meatless)

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt-free garlic-herb seasoning (Ms Dash or whatever)

pinch salt

Tbs soy sauce

1 tsp turmeric

Dump them all into the Instant Pot; cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. If you're in a hurry to eat, manually release pressure; otherwise just let it sit until it unlocks. 

Step 2 Ingredients:

1-2 peeled and diced sweet potatoes (I like a small dice)

1 can diced or stewed tomatoes

Add to pot and cook on high pressure for 5 more minutes. 

When it finishes, manually release pressure.

Step 3 Ingredients:

1 diced onion

1 Tbs (I tend to use a little more) ghee or butter

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp curry powder of choice- I used one that just said "spicy curry powder" but garam masala would be really good

1 tsp salt-free garlic herb seasoning

1/2 tsp asafoetida (if you don't have this you can skip it but it's GREAT for protection work, which is why I have it)

Fry the onion in the ghee. When it starts to get soft, add all the spices and stir/fry until it starts to get really fragrant. Pour into the Instant Pot.

Then you're done! You can serve with a squeeze of lemon, a dollop of sour cream/yogurt, some sprigs of cilantro, whatever. I am eating it with some of the fermented hot sauce I made a couple months ago. You can also serve it over rice but I add some more broth and eat it like soup.