Masoor (Red lentil) pulao

Masoor (red lentil) pulao

Ingredients -

Masoor dal (red lentil) - 1 cup
Basmati rice - 1 cup
Onions (small) - 3 sliced
Green chili - 1 chopped
Ginger - 1.5" piece crushed (1 tbsp)
Garlic - 5 pods crushed (1 and 1/2 tbsp)
Ghee (clarified butter) - 2 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Whole spices - bay leaves (2 leaves), cloves (4), black pepper (5), green cardamom (2)

Powder spices (masalas) - turmeric (1 tsp), cumin coriander powder (2 tsp), red chili powder (1 tsp), biryani/pulao masala (1 tsp)

Chopped coriander - 1 tbsp

Recipe -

Step 1: Wash and rinse masoor dal and basmati rice. Soak masoor dal and basmati rice separately in water for at least 2 hours.

Step 2: Cook masoor dal - Drain water used for soaking from masoor dal. Add 2 cups of fresh water. Turn on the heat and cook till masoor dal is about 3/4th cooked (roughly 15 minutes on low-medium heat).

Step 3: Making pulao - Heat ghee on a medium heat in an oven safe pan with lid. Once ghee is hot, add cumin seeds. Add whole spices once cumin seeds start to splutter. Cook whole spices for about 30 seconds (till they become fragrant). Do not burn whole spices. Now add sliced onions and cook till it become translucent (8 to 10 minutes). Now add green chili, ginger and garlic to onions. Cook for about 5 minutes (till the raw smell of garlic is gone). Now add tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes (till tomatoes become mushy). Turn the heat to low, add powder spices to it and cook for about 2 - 3 minutes (do not burn powder spices). Now add soaked basmati rice (after removing water used for soaking). Mix gently. Add 1 cup water and cook for about 10 minutes on low heat with closed lid. Now add cooked masoor dal (with the water used for cooking). Mix gently. Cook for about additional 15 minutes on a low heat with lid closed (cook till water gets evaporated).

Step 4: Baking pulao in oven - Pre-heat oven to 375 F while making pulao. Now put the pan in oven. Bake for about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Garnish with chopped coriander.

Serve with Cucumber-mint raita.

Enjoy!