Allergen Information: Free of Dairy, egg, corn, soy, gluten, yeast. Serves 2. Oil-free Lentil soup. Spicy garlic Dal. Simple soup with tempering of blended up onion, tomato and spices directly added to the lentils to add flavor. Vegan Glutenfree Recipe
Dals are definitely a favorite in my house in all seasons. Summer food also generally includes an easy dal, because it takes a few minutes in the kitchen and you don’t have to stand there in the heat while the lentils cook through.
This simple soup has no oil. The tempering is blended up onion, tomato and spices that are directly added to the lentils to add flavor. Garnish with lemon juice or slices and cilantro and serve with rice, flatbread, crackers or other fix ins.
Lentils when cooked into an Indian Dal can be cooked to a mushy (porridge like) consistency or cooked to just about done with the lentils retaining their shape. Generally, they are cooked to a porridge consistency. Cook a few minutes less or a few minutes longer to adjust to your preferred style of lentils. I use Indian brown lentils (Sabut Masoor) in this recipe. Use any brown lentils. See Indian Dals Page for pictures of types of different dals and beans.
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More Lentils from the blog
You can make this recipe with any lentils, split peas or even chickpeas. Adjust cooking time according to the lentils/beans used.
Oil free Lentil Soup. Spicy Garlic Dal
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 1/2 (0.5 ) small red onion
- 2 large tomatoes
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 in (0.5 in) ginger
- 1 hot green chile
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) fenugreek seeds
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) nigella seeds
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) garam masala
For the Lentils:
- 3/4 cup (144 g) lentils Indian or Spanish brown lentils, washed and soaked for 5 minutes
- 2.5 cups (625 ml) water
- 1/2 to 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) turmeric
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) paprika
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) cayenne
Instructions
- Blend the onion, tomato and all the ingredients for the sauce until smooth. Add to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until it thickens a bit. Stir occasionally.
- Wash the lentils, drain and add to the sauce with water, salt, turmeric, paprika and cayenne. Partially cover and cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until lentils are tender to preference. Cook longer for mushier lentils.
- Garnish with cilantro and lemon juice and serve with rice, flatbread, pita bread, crackers etc.
Notes
Heat the IP on Saute. Blend the onion, tomato and all the ingredients for the sauce until smooth. Add to the Instant Pot when hot. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until it thickens a bit, stirring frequently towards the end. Add a splash of water if starting to stick.
Wash the lentils, drain and add to the sauce with water, salt, turmeric, paprika and cayenne. Close the lid, set vent to sealing, and cook on Manual high pressure for 7 to 8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Nutritional values based on one serving
Nutrition
Like this recipe, buy my cookbook with 25 + Dal recipes! 🙂
Sue
Hi Richa, does blending the sauce ingredients help to avoid the dreaded IP burn as it’s not bits of tomato or onion? I really need to make this to freeze in batches. I recently lost my husband to lung cancer and I’ve taken to resorting to store bought tarka dal from the indian ready meals section, when I know I could do so much better.
Richa
Yes sometimes that helps. Some instant pots though are just too susceptible to the burn.
Meghan
I can’t find brown lentils where I live, only green or red. Would either of those work for this recipe?
Richa
Use green.
Mike
Excellent recipe. I made this in my instant pot following the directions above and it came out perfect the first time. It was a lovely addition to Richa’s Tikka Masala Sauce from her cook book which I mix with paneer, carrot, onion and green pepper. We served these lentils over brown bismati rice.
Barbie
Yessss, more oil free recipes, please!!!
Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship
I love dahl!!!!!!
Nina
Made this for the first time (not the same Nina as above:) to go with an eggplant curry and rice. Delicious! Really paired nicely with it. Probably heresy to have a dal that has garam masala alongside a veggie curry. We thoroughly enjoyed 😛 Thanks!
Richa
Awesome! thats a wonderful spread!
Jenn
This dal is so delicious! It came out perfect for the cool night we had yesterday
Nina
I have made this for dinner tonight. It was very easy and quick. I have to say it was a bit bland. I think I put in too much tomatoes. Probably will taste better tomorrow! Overall a perfect dish for weeknights 😉
Richa
add more salt and cayenne. salt generally brings out the spices more, atleast for me :), or add more garam masala. maybe the green chile was too mild, so add cayenne.
Richa
also depends on the spices used and the garam masala. my garam masala is usually fresh so i end up using less 🙂
Nina
I think your right about the salt and the chile and the garam masala haha. I’m always very careful with salt, but I’ve noticed that I’m probably too careful. And the chile was mild, that’s right. It’s the same old story, I had a batch of green chile that was really hot, but for some reason the last one of the pack was very mild. And I was wondering if I should use more garam masala, was careful with that too. Lol, I’m a careful girl :D. I have a bowl left for lunch today, so I’ll adjust the spices!
Richa
🙂 thats the good part of the lentil soups and stews, just add more spices as you need!
Emma
Awesome recipes! I never knew Indian dishes could be made oil free!! thanks for the recipe! looks fantastic!
Great blog!
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic recipe! The seasonings are wonderful. Thank you so much!
Richa
Thanks ginny!
Lotta | VeggieTown
It looks incredible tasty! We love dals in my family and this seem to be an easy an delicious recipe for busy days!
Anna
this looks absolutely tasty!!! yumm
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Christine (The Raw Project)
This looks simple and amazing, wow! Thanks!
safira
What kind of lentils are used in this recipe since there are several types of lentils. Can I use any type of lentils? I have all the ingredients so this recipe seems great and easy! Thanks.
Richa
any brown lentils, Indian brown or Spanish brown
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
I love the addition of garlic to my lentils! This recipe looks fabulous! BTW…guess what my mom brought me…a huge case of delicious mangos! And guess what I want to make with them? Your CURRY! It looks delicious!
mia
Mmm. I love all your dals Richa!
Sandra
Richa, where did you buy the beautiful bowls you serve your dishes in? (The bowls that have two handles, copper-looking on the outside and stainless on the inside.)
Sandra
Richa
from Indian stores in New york or from India. Mom got me a few and i bought a few from New york.
Cassie
I love me some daal!
marlyse
I don’t have any Nigilla seeds. Would the recipe suffer much if I leave them out?
Richa
nope, use whatever spices you have. 🙂
Marcy
Absolutely cannot wait for your book to arrive! My daughter ordered it for me forMother’s Day, and I’m waiting (impatiently) for it to arrive.
IR
Yummy & simple dal! =) Beautiful pictures!