Eclectic Food: Daal

Daal is a really delicious Indian soup, and is really easy to make!  The secret is to use red lentils (they're actually orange in color), which cook up faster than other lentils.

Daal


Ingredients:
1 cup red lentils
3 cups water
3 cherry tomatoes
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 bay leaf
Salt, to taste
2 tablespoons lime juice
Cilantro

Optional:
Cooked basmati rice

Instructions:
1.  Rinse lentils.  In medium saucepan, bring lentils and water to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
2.  In separate pot, blanch tomatoes for one minute and mash.
3.  In a third saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add curry powder and bay leaf, and cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring.
4.  Pour first saucepan, lentils and water included, into third spice saucepan.  Add salt and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add lime juice and tomatoes and cook an additional 3-5 minutes.  Add cilantro, salt, and pepper to taste.  Serve with basmati rice if desired.