Bell Pepper Curry with Red Lentils (Masoor Dal)

Masoor dal (red lentils) bell pepper curry is a tasty curry which can be prepared using a minimum of ingredients and without much effort.

Ingredients

Red lentils 1 cup

Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon.

Ginger chopped 1 tablespoon

Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Bell pepper Red, green and yellow 1 each

Onion chopped 1 nos

Green chillies chopped 2 nos.

Olive oil 1 tablespoon.

For tempering

Mustard seeds 1 tablespoon

Garlic chopped 3-4 cloves 

Dried red chillies broken 2 nos

Vegetable oil 1 tablespoon.

Preparation

Wash and drain the red lentils and cook it in a vessel adding turmeric powder, chopped ginger, salt and  3 cups of water.

  Firtst allow it to boil on high heat.  Once boiled reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Check whether it is cooked and there is enough water in the vessel. Add more water if needed.

Once cooked remove from heat and keep aside.

Wash, clean and chop the bell peppers.  Don`t forget to remove the seeds and the spongy parts inside the bell pepper.

Heat oil in a pan, add the chopped onions, green chillies and saute till the onions become translucent or changes colour.  

When the onions are cooked add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder and mix well.

Add the chopped bell peppers, mix well and add one cup of water and cook for 5 minutes with closed lids.

After 5 minutes of cooking remove the lid and cook for a further 4 minutes stirring well.

Now add the cooked red lentils (Masoor dal) to the pan and mix well.

Remove from heat and keep aside.

For tempering.

Heat oil in a small deep pan, add the mustard seeds and allow to splutter.

Once the mustard seeds are popped add the chopped garlic and the broken dried chillies and fry till the garlic turns golden brown.

Now put the seasoning over the red lentil bell pepper curry.