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Lentils with tamarind sauce

Neil Perry
Neil Perry

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A warming Indian vegetarian curry to lift your spirits.
A warming Indian vegetarian curry to lift your spirits.William Meppem

This lentil dish is easy to prepare and has all the wonderful flavours that Indian cooking has to offer.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup light vegetable oil

  • 1 cup thinly sliced onion

  • 2 tsp minced garlic

  • 1 tsp turmeric

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 cup canned chopped tomatoes

  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

  • 1 cup tamarind water (available from Asian grocers; or to make your own, see below)

  • 2 cans cooked lentils, drained and liquid reserved

  • 1 1/2 tsp garam masala

  • 1 tsp ground roasted cumin

  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 4 red shallots, finely sliced

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based pan over a medium heat.

    Add the onion and fry until it is lightly browned, stirring so it doesn't stick and burn.

    Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

    Add the turmeric and paprika and cook for a moment.

    Add the tomatoes and ginger and cook for a further 5 minutes.

    Add the tamarind water and the reserved lentil liquid.

    Simmer the mixture, covered, over a low heat for 15-20 minutes.

    Add the lentils, garam masala and cumin and cook for about 3 minutes or until the lentils are heated through.

    Check seasoning, place in a bowl and sprinkle with shallots.

    Serve with steamed rice or a rice pilaf.

    Tamarind water

    Soak 1 cup tamarind pulp in 1 1/2 cups boiling water for 20 minutes, then strain it.

    Serves 4

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Neil PerryNeil Perry is a restaurateur, chef and former Good Weekend columnist.

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Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/goodfood/recipes/lentils-with-tamarind-sauce-20120626-29twx.html