Spicy Tempered Red Lentil Curry

Simple Lentils are edible seeds that come from the legume family and they’re a common food staple in countries such as Turkey, Jordan, and Morocco but nowadays it is the greatest production in Canada.

There are different types of lentils. They are often categorized by their color, which can range from yellow and red to green, brown, or black. But In Sri Lanka, we normally use yellow and red lentils because they are split and cook quickly. They’re great for making dal and have a somewhat good and nutty flavor. They are highly nutritious. For example, they’re packed with B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.

As Sri Lankans, lentil curry is something very dear to our hearts. Lentil curry is also known as "Red Lentil Curry, Dhal Curry, Tempered Lentil Curry, Parippu Curry (පරිප්පු කරිය, පරිප්පු හොද්ද)". I think the specialty of this dish is that you can eat anything, I mean ANYTHING with this dish. We can eat this with rice, roti, string hoppers, bread, etc.

If I were to tell you how popular this dish is, there is a saying among Sri Lankan, that every girl should be at least able to make a Lentil Curry before they get married. That's how easy it is to make this dish. It is really simple. You can make this as a mild dish, spicy dish, or even as a tempered dish. I would say that to eat with roti and bread, I prefer tempered lentil curry. It's because that's my favorite. If you want to eat this with rice, I suggest you simmer it more. But today I am going to show you how to make this as tempered Curry which will go well with bread. Trust me, you will love this recipe.

Cooking Method Braising, Frying, Simmering

Cuisine Sri Lankan

Courses Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty Beginner

Time

Prep Time: 5 5 mins Cook Time: 20 20 mins Total Time: 25 mins

Servings 4

Best Season Suitable throughout the year

Description

When it comes to the Lentil Curry, every single one of Sri Lankans enjoys this delicious curry. Some of us have this curry for all three meals of the day. So, because of that, I thought of bringing you this Lentil Curry as my first recipe. There are lot of various ways to make this curry but today I made Spicy. This curry is going to be a very spicy curry for spice lovers.

Ingredients

For Red Lentil Curry

200 grams Red Lentil
1/4 Large Onion or (4 Red Onions)
3 cloves Garlic Cloves
4 Green Chilies
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Fenugreek Seeds
1 teaspoon Tumeric Powder
1/4 teaspoon Unroasted Curry Powder
2 teaspoons Chili Powder
200 milliliters Coconut Milk
Curry Leaves
Pandan Leaves

To temper the Lentil Curry

1/4 Large Onion or (2 Red Onions)
2 Garlic Cloves
Curry Leaves
2 tablespoons Oil (Coconut/Canola/Vegetable)
2 teaspoons Mustard Seeds
3-4 Dried Red Chilies
1 teaspoon Chili Flakes

Instructions

Preparation of Lentil Curry

First, thoroughly wash Lentils and add it to the pot.
Then add water to the level of the Lentils.
After that, add Onions, Green Chilies, Garlic Cloves, Curry Leaves, Pandan Leaves.
Then, add Turmeric Powder, Chili Powder, Unroasted Curry Powder, Fenugreek Seeds and salt.
Then, turn on the heat (Medium Heat) and stir well until everything is mixed.
Next, cook for 1-2 minutes and simmer for 8-10 minutes in Medium-High heat.
After that, add the coconut milk.
And, let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
If you want, you can enjoy this as it is. But if you want to temper the curry, please read the below steps.

To Temper the Red Lentil Curry

Next, set the curry aside and add oil to the same pan. Then add Garlic and Curry Leaves and fry for a bit.
After that, add Onion, Mustard Seeds, Chili Flakes, and Dried Chili and fry well.
And, add the Lentil Curry.
Finally, cook for 2-3 minutes and ENJOY!!!