Slow Cooker Black Dal

Time: About 8 hours, but much of it is inactive

Yield: 14 cups

3 cups beans… At least 1 cup whole, dried black lentils with skin;
remaining two cups may be divided between black lentils, dried
chickpeas, and dried kidney beans
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled
4-6 green Thai, Serrano, or cayenne chilies, stems removed
2 bunches of fresh cilantro, chopped and divided
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 heaping tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon red chili powder
12 cups water
Chopped onions, for garnish
Chopped tomatoes, for garnish

Put all beans in the slow cooker. In a food processor, grind the onion, ginger, garlic, chilies, and 1 cup of cilantro. Add this mixture to the beans along with the remaining ingredients (except rest of cilantro, chopped onions, and chopped tomatoes).

Cook on High for 8 hours. Garnish and serve with rice.


Notes

Requires 5 quart slow cooker. For 3½ quart slow cooker, halve all ingredients.

Adapted from The Indian Slow Cooker, 2010


Tags: asian