Spiced Brown Lentils (Sabut Masoor Dal)
This spiced brown lentil dish is an authentic Pakistani recipe that my mother makes regularly. She is an excellent cook and a big inspiration for my own cooking. I’ve shared a couple of her recipes on this blog before (e.g, masoor ki daal and vegan Pakistani omelet) and I will be sharing more in the future. I was fortunate to grow up in a house where delicious food was always provided with loads of flavor. This is one of my family’s favorite dishes. If you enjoy flavorful food or South Asian cuisine, give this a try! You’ll love it.
Brown lentils have a tough skin that helps them hold their shape. Red lentils are made by de-hulling and splitting brown lentils. Sabut means “whole”, while masoor dal refers to red lentils. Hence, this brown lentil dish is known as “Sabut Masoor Dal”. Brown lentils are versatile and often used as a meat substitute. They are a nutritious source of fiber and protein and come in various shades from light brown to dark or even khaki-green. Any of these types are good for this recipe and you can easily find them in your local corner grocery store.
We will first sauté onions and cumin seeds in coconut oil. We’ll then add the rest of the ingredients, including the lentils, and cook them until the lentils are soft. It’s a very easy recipe that doesn’t require much prep time. Sabut masoor dal is very filling due to all the protein and fiber it contains. It has a thick texture and an earthy, satisfying flavor.
I have a brother who absolutely loves this dish. One day I made this sabut masoor dal and dropped it off at his house for dinner. When his wife came to the door, she told me our mother had already stopped by that very evening to drop off the same dish. On top of that, she had also made the same lentil dish earlier to please her husband and family! I thought it was really too funny. Now I make it at home frequently as my husband enjoys it, too.
I encourage you to share your experience in the comments below if you tried this Spiced Brown Lentils (Sabut Masoor Dal) Recipe or made it differently. If you took a photo, please share with me on my instagram account ‘zesty_zahra’ and I will share your stories there. I am always happy to learn about people’s food choices and preferences!
Spiced Brown Lentils (Sabut Masoor Dal)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion medium-size, diced
- ½ tsp Cumin Seeds
- 2 Roma Tomatoes medium-size, chopped
- 8 cloves Garlic chopped
- 1 tbsp Ginger minced
- 1 Jalapeño chopped (optional)
- 1 cup Brown Lentils washed
- 3 cups Water
- ½ tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper or Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Cumin Powder
- 2 tsp Salt or to taste
Garnish
- Fresh Cilantro
- Lime Wedge
Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium heat. Add coconut oil, onion and cumin seeds and sauté until onions are caramelized (about 5 to 7 minutes). Sprinkle water as needed if onions are sticking to the pan.
- Add tomato, garlic, ginger, jalapeño(optional), lentils, water, turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and salt. Mix everything together and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low-medium and cook until lentils are softened (about 40 minutes).
- Remove from heat. Mash lentils very slightly and adjust salt to taste.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge. Serve hot with naan or white rice.