Simple and Delicious Red Lentil Dal Recipe: Bushehr-Style Soup and Indian-Style Dal Curry

According to Saednews, Dal Adas is one of the most aromatic and beloved dishes of southern Iran. Made with simple ingredients like red lentils, warm spices, and tangy seasonings, it creates a highly nutritious and flavorful meal. Below you’ll find traditional methods for Southern (Bushehri), Indian-style, and soup versions of dal adas, along with tips for perfect flavor and texture.

Ingredients for Bushehri Dal Adas Stew

• Red lentils: 1.5 cups

• Garlic (crushed): 3 cloves

• Onion (finely chopped): 1 large

• Potatoes: 2 medium

• Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons

• Oil, salt, black pepper, turmeric: as needed

• Tamarind: 1 cup

How to Make Simple and Delicious Dal Adas

Step 1

Clean the lentils, wash them thoroughly, and soak them for a few minutes.

Step 2

After about 15 minutes, add the lentils to a pot with chopped potatoes and 2–3 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook.
At the same time, soak the tamarind in water and set aside.

Step 3

Sauté the chopped onions in a pan until golden.

Step 4

Add crushed garlic to the onions and sauté briefly until fragrant.

Step 5

Add tomato paste, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Stir well.
Then strain the soaked tamarind and add its juice to the pan.

Step 6

Add the sautéed mixture to the cooked lentils and potatoes. Let it simmer until thickened.
Your Bushehri dal adas is ready.

Indian-Style Dal Adas (Ingredients)

• Orange lentils: 1 cup

• Tomato paste: 1 teaspoon

• Onion: 1 medium, chopped

• Water: 5 cups

• Green chili: 1–2

• Fresh ginger: 1 teaspoon

• Coriander seeds: 1 teaspoon

• Turmeric: 1 teaspoon

• Salt: 1 teaspoon

• Corn flour: 1 tablespoon

• Oil: 2 tablespoons

How to Prepare Indian Dal Adas

Step 1

Wash lentils and cook them in 5 cups of water over high heat until boiling.

Step 2

Add salt, turmeric, ginger, and chili. Lower the heat and cook for about 8 minutes.

Step 3

Turn off heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Step 4

In a separate pan, sauté onion, coriander seeds, and corn flour in oil until golden.

Step 5

Add tomato paste and cook until the color deepens.

Step 6

Mix everything into the lentils and simmer for 20 minutes until well combined.

Creamy Dal Adas Soup (Restaurant Style)

Ingredients

• Red lentils: 1 cup

• Onion: 1 large

• Garlic: 1–2 cloves

• Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon

• Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons

• Potato: 1 large

• Carrot: 1 medium

• Half-cup rice (broken rice)

• Fresh cream: 3 tablespoons

• Salt, turmeric, black pepper: as needed

Soup Preparation Steps

Step 1

Soak rice and lentils for 1 hour, then drain and cook them with water for about 1 hour.

Step 2

Sauté onion until soft, then add turmeric and garlic.

Step 3

Add tomato paste and cook until aromatic.

Step 4

Add diced potato and carrot and lightly sauté.

Step 5

Mix cooked lentils and rice into the pot. Add seasoning and more water or broth. Simmer until thick.

Step 6

Blend if desired, then stir in cream and serve with lemon juice.

Important Cooking Tips

• Fry onions until golden and slightly caramelized for the best flavor.

• Add garlic at the end of sautéing to avoid burning.

• Always fry tomato paste to remove its raw taste.

• Spices like cumin, coriander seed powder, cinnamon, or chili can enhance flavor.

• Tamarind, lemon juice, or dried lime significantly improve taste.

• Let the dish simmer slowly so it becomes thick and well blended.

Who Should Consume With Caution?

• People allergic to legumes

• Infants under one year old

• Individuals with IBS or digestive sensitivity

• Patients on blood-thinning medication (due to vitamin K content)

• People with kidney disease (due to high potassium levels)

Additional Notes

• Preparation time: ~15 minutes

• Cooking time: ~1 hour

• Suitable for lunch, dinner, or as a starter

• Also suitable for iftar or suhoor during Ramadan

• This recipe serves approximately 4 people