Dhal-Oh-Mamma! The Guru of Soups!

 “Happiness is not something that comes ready made. It comes from your own actions.” - Dalai Lama

Want a soup that is hearty, healthy, flavorful, good for you and only takes about 20 minutes to make?  This is my own take on Tarka Dhal - a red and yellow lentil curry-like soup.  However, I cheat and only use red lentils because they cook up in a pinch.  You will look like a Kitchen Guru Rockstar when you make this soup on the fly for guests or your loved ones.  It is, by far, one of the most deliciously satisfying soups around.  Try it... 

Serves 4 cups (I suggest doubling the recipe for extra or for larger servings)

• 3/4 cups split red lentils (masoor dhal)
  
• 2.5 cups Water
  
• 1 heaping tsp. of grated ginger root
  
• 1 heaping tsp of grated garlic
  
• 1/4 tsp tumeric
  
• 2 chopped green chiles
  
• 1.5 tsp. Salt
  
• Handful of finely chopped cilantro
  

Thoroughly rinse red lentils in your boiling pot in sink.  I run water on them and swish the lentils around with my hand and drain repeatedly until the water is then clear (Water saving tip: reuse the rinse water for your plants!). Then add your 2.5 cups water to the lentils and set on stove.  Add your grated ginger, garlic, turmeric, chilles and salt and bring it all to a boil then reduce to a simmer.  Simmer 15-20 minutes.  You can leave the lid off the pot or straddle it over the pot - I never cover completely and usually keep the lid off. 

Once lentils are soft, mash them in the pot with a potato masher or something similar... the consistency should be similar to a creamy chicken soup.  

That's it!!!  Always taste for adjustments - and add cilantro and serve OR - go all the way and make the Tarka topping below... 

Optional topping: 

In traditional Tarka Dhal - the Tarka part is topping made separately for the soup.  I love it but if you don't have time don't worry about it... that's the great thing about this soup - you can jazz it out or keep it simple

• 2 TBSP veg. oil
  
• 1 Onion, thinly sliced
  
• 1/4 mixed mustard and onion seeds (if you don't have onion seeds use black sesame seeds)
  
• 4 dried red chiles or 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (I use Aleppo or other smoked chili pepper flakes)
  
• 1 Tomato sliced
  

Heat oil and fry the onion with the mustart and onion seeds, dried red chillies and sliced tomato for 2 minutes or until soft.  Top onto your servings of Dhal Soup along with cilantro.