May Daal + Chawal

May 1, 2024

In pakistan, there are huge “soup kitchens.” People can purchase huge cast iron pots full of food to feed people coming to these kitchen. thought the day and late into the evening food is served at these kitchens and handed out free of cost. Often these cooks make the most amazing daal (lentils) and chawal (rice). The flavor of these dishes is hard to recreate at home but here is my best attempt.

Daal

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Serves

4 best friends

Ingredients

  • 1 cup moong (yellow) Lentils
  • 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
  • 1 tbs cumin seeds
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 roma tomatoes
  • 1 half inch piece of ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 green chillies
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp salt

Kitchenware

  • Three quart pot with a lid
  • Love in your heart

Steps

  1. Rinse and soak lentils for 30-60 minutes.
  2. Drain and add 2 cups of fresh water.Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Finely chop the onion, peel and chop ginger, and thinly slice garlic.
  4. Heat ghee in a pan, add cumin, and cook until fragrant (avoid browning).
  5. Add onions, stirring until soft, then add ginger and garlic. Cook briefly and until the raw ginger smell is gone.
  6. Add tomatoes, cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder, and ½ cup of water.
  7. Cook until tomatoes break down into a thick sauce, mashing with a spatula.
  8. Stir the tomato mixture (masala) into the boiled lentils.
  9. Add turmeric and salt, and simmer for a few minutes.
  10. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve!

Rice the way Waheeda makes it

This recipe is from a dear friend and I had her rice at a dinner party and was blown away. She sent me this Afghani style rice recipe. You can also make rice your own way but this is definitely going to yield the best rice I have ever had.

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

40 minutes

Serves

4

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of rice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tbsp oil
  • Optional: cardamom pods, cumin seeds, and/or a garlic cluster

Kitchenware

  • Three quart pot with a lid
  • Love in your heart

Steps

  1. Rinse 2 cups of rice thoroughly and soak for 2-3 hours. Drain.
  2. Boil 12 cups of water in a large pot.
  3. Add the drained rice, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 5 minutes or until 75% done (soft but still firm without a hard center). Taste-test to check.
  4. Drain the water and return rice to the pot.
  5. In a small bowl, mix 3-4 oz hot water, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tbsp oil. Stir into the rice.
  6. Optional: Add cardamom pods, cumin seeds, or a garlic cluster for flavor.
  7. Pile the rice into a mound in a Dutch oven. Cover with a paper towel or pot bonnet to trap steam.
  8. Bake covered at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until fluffy.

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