Do I ever stick to a recipe? Hardly. But the Assam Nariyal Dal from the Dhaba Cooking School, is so awesome that I would not change a thing. These lentils are a sheer delight of aromas for body and soul. The recipe was created by TAZ (Taz). Try it soon.

COOKING ADVICE: Have all ingredients handy and prepared. This dal cooks fairly quickly. Don’t burn your spices while you are scrambling to cut tomatoes.

• —-STEP 1—-
• 2 cups red (Masoor Dal) lentils, picked & rinsed; set them to boil in 7 cups of water; reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes
• 

  Tomato paste

  —-STEP 2: DWARKA—- Sauté (flavor-roast) next ingredients in pan on medium heat and little oil for 7-10 minutes; add this to the lentils

• 1/2 onion, diced, fry until glazed
• 1/2 inch ginger, grated into paste
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1-3 whole, dried chilis
• 2 Tbs. sambhar masala (~ 3min)
• 2-4 Tbs. tomato paste (~ 3 min)
• —-STEP 3—- Add the following ingredients to the lentils to complete the flavor
• 1 can unsweetened coconut milk (15 oz.)
• 4 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 lemon, juice & zest
• 1 Indian bay leaf (tej patta)
• 2 cinnamon sticks (2 inches long)
• 3 star anise pods
• kosher salt & black pepper to taste

FINISHING: Cook the dal for another ~30 min or until lentils are soft. Adjust seasonings and remove the spice “drifters.” Serve hot with idli (rice cakes) or a rice dish. The aromas of Assam Dal are invigorating and inspiring. Your gourmet nose will enjoy the process too.