Masoor Dal bharta | Mashed Red Lentils Curry

Masoor Dal bharta | Mashed Red Lentils Curry

Author: Rumki Paul
Course: Main
Cuisine: Bengali
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2-3 Persons

Masoor Dal Bharta is one of the most hugely famous Bangladeshi dal recipes. It is prepared by combining boiled Masoor dal (Red Lentils), boiled Garlic with raw Onions, green Chillies and Mustard oil. It is a pure comfort Bengali food which is cooked almost in every Bong house. It is a super healthy and delectable dish which tastes amazing with Steamed rice and Egg bhujji or Omelette.

Hello friends, today I have come up with an old traditional Bengali recipe – Masoor Dal bharta (Mashed Red Lentils Curry). It is a super light and super healthy dish. It can get prepared instantly without any hassle. The most amazing thing is that no spices are added in this recipe, still it tastes divine with steamed Rice and Egg bhujji or Omelette.

My Granny used to prepare this dish for us, when we used to visit her place during our summer vacations. During summers, we all want to eat something light but that’s something that never happens when you are at your Granny’s house. She used to cook all our favourite mouth-watering dishes for us. But sometimes, we used to ask her to prepare Masoor Dal Bharta (Mashed Red Lentils Curry) and Egg bhujji to take a temporary break from spicy and rich authentic food.

Sometimes, we have the craving to eat something Desi and light but not compromise on taste. Masoor Dal Bharta (Mashed Red Lentils Curry) is one of the best options for you during these occasions. You must try it once to believe me.

During summers, sometimes we all want to have some light and non-spicy food to keep our body cool to bear the scorching sun. Ideally, Masoor Dal Bharta is one of the best options during those days. But it does not mean that this dal is not taken in other seasons. It is an asset recipe of every Bong mom.

As we know that a housewife’s job is one of the toughest jobs in the galaxy and it goes on for 24*7, that too without any leaves. In fact, even if they get ill, sometimes they need to cook for the sake of their children and family. This dish is a trump card for those challenging days.

Masoor dal (Red Lentils) is one of the most frequently used lentils in every house in India. Many delicious recipes are prepared with this healthy lentil. Masoor dal is one of the very easily adaptable dals to our regular diet. But before directly jumping into the recipe, let me share few interesting facts about the recipe and Masoor dal.

Reason behind the popularity of Masoor Dal Bharta

Health benefits of Masoor dal (Red Lentils)

In this preparation, first, I washed the dal properly and then put it in a pan and added water, Garlic cloves, Turmeric powder and slow cooked it by closing the lid. I have cooked it in medium low flame until the dal gets soft. Then I have taken off the lid and cooked in high flame until the extra water gets evaporated.

I have added finely chopped Onions, green Chillies and Mustard oil into the dal. But make sure to add them when the dal comes down to room temperature or it is warm because they can partially get cooked in hot dal and lose their crunch and real flavour.

In traditional Masoor Dal Bharta, fried dry Chillies are used. But I prefer fresh green Chillies for the flavour that it brings to the dish. You can choose according to your own choice though.

The Garlic boiled with the dal gives a garlicy flavour to the whole dish and sliced raw Onions complement the flavour. The Mustard oil plays an important role in this dish. Its pungent flavour and taste complements the dish and takes it to another level.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Masoor dal (Red lentil)
• 1 medium Onion, finely sliced
• 2 green Chillies, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of Garlic
• 2 tablespoons Mustard oil
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups of water

1. Wash the dal thoroughly until the bubbles go away.
   
   

2. Put the dal into a pan.
3. Add water, Garlic and Turmeric powder into the pan and close the lid.
   

4. Cook it in medium low flame until the dal gets tender.
5. When the dal is soft enough to get mashed, take off the lid.
   

   Tip: Don’t stir the dal in between until it gets tender. Otherwise the dal will not get cooked.

6. Cook it in medium high flame until extra water evaporates. Stir occasionally.
7. Switch off the flame and let the dal cool off.
8. Take the sliced Onion and green Chillies on a plate.
   

9. Transfer the dal (Step 7) on the same plate.
10. Pour some Mustard oil on the dal.
    

11. Sprinkle salt accordingly into the plate.Tip: Normally, in Bhartas, we don’t add salt during cooking. We only add Salt while mixing.

12. Mash the Garlic cloves nicely and mix all the ingredients thoroughly.