Masoor Dal Bhorta /Bharta (Mashed Red Lentils – Bengali / Bangladeshi style)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup masoor dal (Red lentils), soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 cup water
• 2 green chilies
• 2 tbsp. mustard oil
• 4 dry red chilies
• 2 onion, sliced
• 5-6 garlic cloves
• 3/4 tsp. salt or to taste
• handful coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. lime juice

Steps

1. In a pan, transfer the soaked dal, water, green chilies & 1 tbsp. mustard oil. Cover & simmer till it is almost cooked.
2. Now add the salt & continue to cook….
3. ….till all the water has been absorbed. Keep aside.
4. Heat remaining oil saute dry red chilies & garlic till brown in color. Set aside.
5. In the same oil, stir fry one sliced onion till golden brown in color. Set this also aside and allow it to cool down slightly.
6. Now add 1/4 tsps. salt.
7. Mash them well with your fingers.
8. Add the cooked masoor dal till & combine everything well.
9. Add remaining sliced onion, chopped coriander leaves, lime juice the oil in which the onion was fried.
10. Mix everything well.
11. Form them into balls.
12. Enjoy with steamed rice and onion, green chilies and extra lime juice as accompaniment.