A bowl of dal is one of my favourite comfort foods. Delicious, frugal and adaptable. This tarka dal recipe is made with red split lentils, some (non traditional) added cheese and topped with crispy onions – the tarka. You can make your dal as thick or thin as you like – scoop up thick dal with a naan bread, or add extra stock for a soup and eat with a spoon.

I made this in my trusty Redmond RMC-M4502E Multicooker, which I have now been using for over a year, and it has well and truly earned its place in the kitchen. This device will fry, stew, steam, boil, bake & slow cook with its 35 functions (initial review here). It is well designed (all the accessories fit inside the cooking pot) and it is perfect for the smaller kitchen, caravan or boat.

Do you love cooking with red lentils? Then check out my Red Lentil Loaf Recipe!

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This easy dal is made with lightly spiced spilt red lentils, and topped with cheese and crispy onions.

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5 from 8 votes

Cheesy Split Red Lentil Tarka Dal Recipe

An easy recipe for an indulgent split red lentils dal, topped with crispy onions and cheese.

Servings:

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Total Time50

Ingredients

1 tbs butter
1 tbs olive oil
2 onions ( - sliced)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp flaked chilli
210 g split red lentils (or 1 cup)
1 fat clove garlic (minced)
1/2 cm ginger root (peeled and grated)
3 cups vegetable stock
50 g cheddar (or other strong cheese - finely grated)
red chilli & fresh herbs to serve

Instructions

Place the butter and olive oil in the muticooker, set to FRY - VEGETABLES, add the onions and a generous pinch of salt and fry, stirring frequently for about 20 minutes until the onions are sticky, reduced and golden. Remove from cooking pot and set to one side.
Add a little more oil to the pot, and the spices, set the cooker to FRY - VEGETABLES and cook for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the lentils and cook for another minute.
Press KEEP WARM / CANCEL and set the machine to the SOUP programme, add the lentils, ginger, garlic and 2 cups of the stock. Cook for 20 - 25 minutes stirring occasionally, and adding more stock if needed until the lentils are mushy and you have your desired consistency.
Stir in half the cheese.
Serve topped with the onions, remains of the cheese and sprinkled with slices of red chilli and fresh herbs.

Notes

For a twist on the recipe try frying the onions in coconut oil

• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.

Nutrition Facts

Cheesy Split Red Lentil Tarka Dal Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 143 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 15mg5%

Sodium 1463mg64%

Potassium 46mg1%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Sugar 3g3%

Vitamin A 930IU19%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 1.2mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Vegetarian

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Tarka Dal Recipe

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This split red lentils tarka dal recipe was commissioned by Redmond – I use a Redmond RMC-M4502E Multicooker currently priced at £49.

For more recipes using the Redmond Multicooker you may like

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