Bengali red lentils

Since my husband is Bengali, I decided to start by showcasing ponch phoron, the Bengali whole five spice mix. (North Indians also use the blend to make pickles.)  The spice mix can easily be found in Indian grocery stores or online.  I'm starting with three tasty recipes (two authentic Indian and one fusion) to make the purchase worth your while.  Like many whole spice blends, ponch phoron is added to hot oil at the beginning of cooking to create the first layer of flavors for a dish.

This is my husband's authentic Bengali red lentil dish.  Bengalis will usually add plenty of water to the dal (lentils) to make it soupy and serve it over rice.  My husband and I keep it pretty thick and eat it with store-bought Indian flatbreads.  Or eat it Western-style, as a soup!

If you don't have a pressure cooker, simply simmer lentils until soft and mushy, about 1.5 hours.  (You may need to add extra water.)

Bengali red lentils (masoor dal)  (serves 4-5)

1 cup split and skinned masoor dal (salmon/pink skinned lentils, found in Indian grocery stores)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tomato, cut into wedges

1 tablespoon oil

1/2 onion, sliced into half rings

1 minced green chili

1 minced garlic clove

1/2 tablespoon ponch phoron

1/2 teaspoon sambar masala (optional)

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon garam masala

¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Wash the lentils and put in pressure cooker.  Cover with water until it generously covers hand placed over the lentils.  Add turmeric, salt, and tomatoes.  Put lid on pressure cooker and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes (start timing when steam/pressure has built up).
2. Half-way through cooking, heat oil in a medium skillet.  Saute sliced onion for a few minutes until not raw but not limp, about 2 minutes.
3. Add minced chili and garlic.  Cook one minute.
4. Add ponch phoron.  Cook one minute, then add sambar masala, ground cumin, garam masala, and cilantro.  Fry lightly.
5. Release steam from pressure cooker and adjust salt and water to taste.  Add onion mixture and simmer on low for 2 minutes to combine the flavors.