Musurir Dal er Bhorta / Bengali Masoor Dal Bhorta / Bengali style Mashed Red Lentils

One of the many Bhorta recipes adorning the Bengali cuisine...this Masoor Dal Bhorta / Musurir Dal er Bhorta a jewel in the crown because it instantly lifts up the mood of a boring lunch menu. So...whenever I don’t feel like cooking, this particular recipe becomes my savior.

Musurir Dal er Bhorta / Bengali Masoor Dal Bhorta / Bengali style Mashed Red Lentils

Serves 4

Ingredients:

½ cup red lentils / masoor dal

4 tbsp mustard oil

½ medium onions – chopped

2 green chillies – chopped

1 big / 2 small dry red chilli

2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves – finely chopped

Salt

1 tsp turmeric powder

Method:

Wash and rinse the red lentils until clear water runs out.

Take a saucepan / kadai and put the washed red lenils there. Pour 3 cups of water, salt and turmeric powder.

Mix them well and put cover.

Cook the lentils for about 15-20 minutes or until they are properly cooked, .i.e. each of the grains will be so soft that will be mashed if squished a little.

Open the lid and continue simmering until all the water is almost evaporated and the daal has reached a thick curry like consistency.

Whisk it vigorously with a wire whisk.

Taste and adjust the salt.

Transfer the dal in a big bowl and keep aside.

Take the dry red chillied and slightly char them on the stove top.

Give them two minutes to come to room temperature and crumble them over the boiled lentils.

Add the chopped onions, chopped green chillies and chopped coriander leaves.

Drizzle the mustard oil over the lentils keeping a little for the serving.

Mix everything well.

Serve hot with plain white rice and boiled and mashed potato or a fried egg.