This flavorful Red Lentil Dip is a wonderful appetizer version of Indian Dal dishes. Great for dipping flat bread triangles or veggie sticks.
Vegetarian chef Nettie Cronish has taught culinary classes for over 25 years and authored six popular cookbooks. In October, she will host a unique 15-day tour of India exploring the country’s culinary heritage through market visits, mouthwatering meals, and cooking classes with award-winning Indian chefs. The tour is open to all food and travel enthusiasts - find more information at Bestway.com.
In honour of her South Asian adventure, Nettie is excited to share one of her favourite Indian-inspired recipes with Leelalicious.
This Curried Tomato & Lentil Dal Dip is one of my favourite Indian dishes. The Indian spice combinations of curry powder and garam masala will add a lot of flavour and introduce you to new ingredients that are used in the Indian pantry.
I’ve been a vegetarian for 25 plus years and the diversity of ingredients in Indian food has always fascinated me. In North America, we usually have one or two types of cinnamon available, but in India, they can have as many as six! This recipe is a simple way to use Indian staples such as red lentils, curry powder and garam masala that results in an authentic taste straight out of South Asia.
What is dal?
In India, dal refers to soup dishes made from lentils, peas, or beans. In this case, I chose red lentils to serve as the base for my dal dip.
Photo Credit: Mike McColl
Lentils, a member of the legume family, are convenient because they don’t need to be pre-soaked and they cook quickly. They come in many colours and varieties - green, black, and red, just to name a few!
Red lentils are peeled, split, and orange-coloured. After cooking, red lentils will become incredibly creamy, perfect for dal.
What is curry powder?
Curry powder is one of India’s most popular spice mixes. To make it, fresh, whole spices like coriander, cumin, and fenugreek seeds are toasted and then ground to create a fragrant combination. A crushed cinnamon stick and ground turmeric add a bit of sweetness and colour.
When I make my own curry powder, I always wait until the toasted seeds have cooled before I grind them. You can grind spices by hand with a mortar and pestle, or using a spice grinder.
Fine or coarse, it’s up to you. I store my curry powder in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to four months.
What is garam masala?
Many people are familiar with curry powder, but not garam masala, which is a Northern Indian spice blend that includes some combination of cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg and mace. You can make garam masala yourself, or use a ready-made spice blend.
Unlike curry powder, which can be added at the beginning or end of a recipe, garam masala is used as a final seasoning at the end of a dish.
In traditional Indian cuisine, dal can be served with naan bread, roti, chapati, or rice. I recommend serving this recipe with toasted pita chips.
Another well seasoned appetizer you will love, is this Feta Jalapeno Dip.
More lentil recipes you'll love:
Recipe
Lentil Dip - Curried Tomato Dal
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 sweet onion finely diced
- 1 cup (250 mL) dried red lentils
- 2 cups (500 mL) water
- 2 tsp (10 mL) curry powder
- 5 ½ oz (160 g) tomato paste
- 1 tsp (5 mL) brown sugar
- ½ tsp (2 mL) sea salt
- ½ cup (125 mL) 2% Greek yogurt
- ½ tsp (2 mL) garam masala
Instructions
- In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add the garlic and onions and cook for 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in lentils, water, curry powder, tomato paste, sugar and salt. Cook for 20–25 minutes or until lentils are soft.
- Add yogurt. Stir well.
- Remove from heat and stir in the garam masala. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve warm immediately, or refrigerate and serve cool.
Notes
Nutrition
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Random Questions
Canned lentils can be used as a time-saving alternative, but the texture might differ slightly. Adjust seasoning accordingly and drain the lentils well before using.
The lentil dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving if desired.
Lentils are done when they are tender but not mushy. Check for the desired texture after the suggested cooking time. Red lentils, in particular, become creamy when cooked.
You don't typically need to drain red lentils as they absorb most of the cooking liquid. However, for other lentil varieties, draining excess cooking liquid might be necessary depending on the recipe.
Esty
The flavors of this dish are amazing but I found that I had to add quite a bit more water and cook for an extra 10 to 15 minutes in order to get the lentils to soften. Any idea why that might happen? Could it just be the brand of lentils?
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Hi Esty, there are several reasons why lentils might take a little longer to cook. For one thing, it could just be the brand or their age and however long they have been stored. Another is that adding salt to the water at the start of cooking can slow down the cooking of the lentils. I've also read that altitude can also play a role as higher altitudes require longer cooking times. There is definitely some mystery to the cooking of lentils and beans! I'm glad that the recipe worked out for you overall, though. 🙂
Kayla
This was absolutely delicious! I didn’t have any yogurt so I omitted it and it was still so good. Thanks for a wonderful recipe
Charmaine
Hi can it made with brown lentils to?many thanks
Regina | Leelalicious
I've only tried red lentils. My guess is brown lentils will just take longer
michelle glass
Does the dip reheat well after being refrigerated? Or does it separate?
Regina
I have reheated this dip without any problems. Although it also taste good cold.
There is a risk of the yogurt splitting if overheated. So try to heat it gently until just warm. Don't bring it to a boil
mel
How long does this last in the fridge please?
Regina
I would say 4-5 days at least.
Chu'a
Gr8t idea!!! Thanks!!
Regina
You are very welcome. Hope you try it
SG
I would.love to make this vegan. How do you think it would do if I eliminated the yogurt?
Regina
The yogurt definitely helps to give it the creamy consistency. Maybe a dairy-free yogurt substitute could work?
Sally
try coconut milk instead of yogurt
Jen
I tried it with the coconut milk and it was amazing!!! Great substitution. 🙂
Regina
Great to see the coconut milk suggestions worked well
Darina
Thank you so much for this recipe I’m making it tonight for some friends It looks wonderful
Regina
Thank you for your lovely comment, Darina. I hope you and your friends will fully enjoy this
Judy Hytinen
Please share you recipes for both the homemade curry and garam marsala spices. Thanks
Regina
Hi Judy, this post was contributed by a guest writer. I tried to see if Nettie has those recipes on her blog but couldn't find them. Personally, I have only published a recipe for quick & easy Garam Masala which is great in a pinch http://www.ebay.com/gds/Easy-Homemade-Garam-Masala-Spice-Mix-/5813ee83a5ab1d4cd7a139a9/g.html?roken2=ti.pUmVnaW5hIEJyYXVu