photo from gourmet traveler

i made dhal for the first time tonight. it was easy, delicious and comforting. i found the recipe from vegetarian cooking, which is a great cookbook i might add. if you feel like making something a little warm and mushy, here is the recipe:

8 oz yellow split peas
2 onions, chopped
1 large bay leaf
2 1/2 cups stock or water
salt and pepper
2 tsp black mustard seeds
2 tbsp melted butter
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 inch cube fresh root ginger
1 small green pepper, sliced
1 tsp ground tumeric
1 tsp garam masala
3 tomatoes, skinned and chopped
fresh coriander or parsley to serve

1. in a covered pan, simmer the split peas, 1 onion, the bay leaf, and stock / water for 25 minutes, seasoning lightly towards the end.

2. in a separate pan, fry the mustard seeds in the butter for 30 seconds until they start to pop. then add remaining onion, garlic, ginger and green pepper. saute for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in remaining spices.

3. add the split peas, tomatoes and a little extra water if needed. cover and simmer for 10 minutes. check seasoning and serve hot, garnished with coriander or parsley.

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