Help with dinner

[harvestl]

Hello! I am in quite a bind with dinner. I haven't actually cooked in at least a month, and my body can definitely tell. However, I now have some time to start cooking dinner again, but I have no clue what to do

Comments

[florafloraflora]

Here's mega-easy dal recipe. It was the first one I made when I started working my way through Julie Sahni's Classic Indian Cooking, and it's still what I make when there's no food in the house. The only seasonings you need are turmeric and fresh garlic.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups red lentils, picked over and washed
3/4 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
5-6 large garlic cloves, peeled and sliced lengthwise

1. Put the lentils in a deep pot [it will foam up later] with the turmeric and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil, stirring often as the lentils have a tendency to stick at this stage. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered*, for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are thoroughly softened. Stir in the salt. Remove from heat but keep warm.
*Dal is traditionally supposed to be soupy, but I like it a little thicker so I don't cover while it's cooking. The author also recommends beating the dal with a whisk or wooden spoon after cooking to make it more like a purée, and to add water if necessary to make sure the volume is at least five cups. I don't do that either.
2. Heat the oil in a small frying pan. Add garlic and cook just until they turn light brown but are still soft, a minute or two. Add to the warm lentils, stir, and serve.