Sookhi Amritsari dal - Split black lentils- Dry - Gluten Free

 Ingredients:

1. Dhuli Urad Dal- Split black lentils without skin.- 1 cup
2. Water  - 7 cups
3. Oil - 1 tablespoon
4. Cumin seeds(jeera)- 1 teaspoon
5. Asafeotida( Hing)- 1 pinch
6. Dry red chillies- 3
7. Tumeric-1/4 teaspoon
8. Salt - 1 teaspoon or according to taste( to put in water while boiling)
9. Bayleaves( tejpatta)-2
10. Onion- chopped(1 small or 1/2 big)
11. Garlic - 3 pods( minced)
12. Ginger- 1 inch ( cut in julians)
13. Tomatoes- (4)Finely chopped
14. Serrano pepper- 1( finely cut)optional
15. Red chilli powder- 1 teaspoon
16. Salt - 1/2 teaspoon or according to taste(add to tempering)
17. Garam masala - 1 teaspoon
18. Lemon juice- 1 tablespoon

Method:

1. Pick the lentils so that there are no impurities.
2. Put the lentils in a fine mesh sieve and wash in under running water till the water runs clear.
3. Soak the dal  in 7 cups water and leave it aside for an hour in a pot.
4.  Put the pot on the stove with 1 teaspoon of salt and let it cook for 10-12 minutes. Keep removing the scum or foam that keeps accumulating .
5. The dal will become tender but not fully cooked or mushy. We do not want it fully cooked right now.
6. Remove all the water from the dal and keep the dal aside.Save half a cup of dal water in a seperate cup.Discard the rest of dal water.
7. Take another pan and turn on the heat. Put oil. Add asafoetida and cumin seeds.
8. When the seeds start to crackle,add dry red chillies , bayleaves and   chopped onions.
9. Saute it till the onions get a light golden color.Add garlic and saute it for 1 to 2 minutes .
10. Now add chopped tomatoes, tumeric, red chilli powder, salt and saute it till the  tomatoes become soft and oil seperates.
11. Now add dal. Mix it properly so that all the tempering coats the dal. Now add  the saved dal water.
12. Cover the lid of the pan and turn the heat on low and let the dal cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
13. Turn off the heat. Let the dal rest for 5 to 7 minutes. Now open the lid .
14.  Garnish with garam masala and ginger julians ,green serrano peppers and lemon juice.
15. Enjoy it with  roti, naan or parantha.