Recipe of the Day

Marak al Dal - Red Lentils

posted on: Dec 8, 2014

This Omani dish, obviously inherited from the Indian sub-continent, is a type of potage but by adding more water it becomes a delicious soup. Serves about 6.

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium green pepper finely chopped
• 1 small hot pepper finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander
• 1 cup of dried split red lentils
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 1/2 cups water

Melt butter in a saucepan then sauté onion, both peppers and garlic over medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and coriander then sauté for another 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil then cook over medium heat for 50 minutes or until lentils are well cooked, stirring a number of times and adding more water if necessary.