Q&A: Easy Indian food recipes?

by elana's pantry

Question by way_iba: Easy Indian food recipes?
I really want to try indian food because i've never had it and you can't find any restaurants where i live...is there an easy/good recipe that you can give me?


Best answer:

Answer by foodie
Simple Lentils

Ingredients
½ cup toor dal (lentils)
½ cup masoor dal (lentils)
5 cups water
¼ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
2 tablespoons oil
3 dried red chillis
¼ teaspoon onion seeds

Combine lentils and soak for 20 minutes. Wash thoroughly.
Add 5 cups of water in a pan, add lentils, turmeric and salt, and bring to a boil.
Remove the froth, reduce heat, cover and boil for 30 minutes.
Heat oil in a small pan, add red chillis and cook for a minute. Add onion seeds and cook for another minute.
Pour over lentils and cover immediately.

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Karai Chicken

Ingredients
7 tablespoons oil
2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
2 lb chicken on the bone, divided into small pieces
14 oz can chopped tomatoes
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon turmeric
2 sweet peppers, deseeded and cut into 2 inch squares
¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon garam masala powder
¼ oz finely chopped fresh coriander leaves
salt

Heat 4 tablespoons of the oil in a karai or wok-like pan and fry the onions until golden brown.
Add the garlic and chicken and fry for a couple of minutes.
Add tomatoes, cover and leave to cook over low heat until the chicken is tender (about 30 minutes).
Add salt, chili powder, turmeric and fry over low heat, adding tablespoons of water to prevent sticking and burning. After 5 minutes you should start to see the oil begin to separate from the spices at the edges of the pan.

In a separate pan heat 2 tablespoons of the remaining oil and fry the peppers for 2-3 minutes. Add to the chicken.

In a third pan (small), heat the remaining tablespoon of oil and when very hot, add a couple of the cumin seeds. If they pop immediately and turn a darker color, add the rest. If they turn a very dark color, reduce the heat and add the remaining cumin seeds after 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat immediately, pour this tarka over the chicken and serve garnished with the garam masala powder and fresh coriander.

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