📖 Instructions

1. First things first, let's prep our aromatics. Finely chop 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic, and 1 inch ginger. I like to mince the ginger, but you do you!
2. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee (or your preferred oil) in a large pot over medium heat. Once it's shimmering, add the chopped onion. Saute until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes. Don't rush this; we're building flavor here.
3. Now add the minced garlic and ginger, and saute for another minute until fragrant. You should be able to smell that wonderful, warming aroma—that's the magic happening!
4. Next, dump in one (28 ounce) can of crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine with the onion mixture. Seriously, stir it well. We want all that delicious tomato goodness integrated!
5. Add your spices! This is where you get to unleash your inner chef. I use about 1 teaspoon each of turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and chili powder (adjust to your preference!). A half teaspoon of garam masala adds an extra layer of yummy complexity.
6. Stir everything together and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. It's ok to leave the lid on so everything stews nicely.
7. Now it's time for the lentils! Add 1 cup of red lentils (masoor dal) to the pot. Make sure you rinse them first! Nobody wants unrinsed lentils in their dal; trust me.
8. Pour in 1 ½ cups of water (more if you prefer a thinner dal) and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and completely broken down.
9. Once the lentils are soft and mushy (that's what we want!), give the mixture a good stir. For extra creaminess, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the dal. But if you're lazy like me, just leave it as is and it's still fantastically creamy thanks to the coconut milk!
10. Now add 1 (13.5-ounce) can of full-fat coconut milk, stir, and simmer for another 5 minutes. The dal will begin to thicken, getting that luxurious, creamy texture we all crave.
11. Finally, taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want more salt, chili powder, or a squeeze of lime juice. It's all up to you!
12. Serve hot with steamed rice or naan bread. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge for an extra pop of flavor and freshness. Enjoy this incredibly delicious, comforting meal! You did it!!