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Dehydrated Red Lentil Dal

A ludicrously easy, delicious dal that you'll want to eat all the time. Enjoy on its own or with basmati rice or naan and all the garnishes. You'll need red lentils or moong dal, ground turmeric, asafoetida, and cumin seeds, all readily available online or at your local shops.
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Servings: 2
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g (1 cup) red lentils (or moong dal if you can get it)
  • 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil or ghee
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2-3 dried red chillies broken into pieces
  • 1 shallot peeled and sliced thinly
  • salt

Method
 

Making the Dal:
  1. Rinse the red lentils thoroughly in cold water until the water runs clear.
  2. Place the lentils in a pot with 600ml (2½ cups) water.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Wait a few minutes then skim off any foam that's formed on the surface. Stir in the turmeric and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are soft and broken down (increase cooking time to 45 minutes for moong dal).
  4. While the lentils cook, heat the coconut oil or ghee in a small pan over medium heat.
  5. Add the cumin seeds, asafoetida, and dried chillies. Let them sizzle for a couple seconds then add the shallot.
  6. Turn the heat down to medium and let the shallot cook slowly, until it just starts caramelizing. Pour the contents of the frying pan into the cooked lentils. Season with salt (start with a teaspoon then increase to suit your taste).
Dehydrating:
  1. Spread the cooked dal in a thin, even layer on dehydrator trays lined with non-stick sheets or parchment paper. Aim for about ¼ inch thickness.
  2. Dehydrate at 135°F (57°C) for 6-8 hours, or until completely dry and brittle. The dal should snap when broken and contain no moisture.
  3. Once fully dried, break into smaller pieces (you can do this with a food processor if you have one) and store in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag.
On the Trail:
  1. For one serving, place approximately 100g (1 cup loosely packed) dehydrated dal in your bowl or pot.
  2. Add enough boiling water to just cover the dal and stir well.
  3. Cover and let sit for a minute or two.
  4. Add more hot water if needed to reach your desired consistency.
  5. Service on its own or with basmati rice, naan, and your favourite garnishes.

Notes

  • Servings: 2
  • Packed weight: ~ 105g
  • Trail prep time: < 2 minutes
  • Nutrition per serving: 240 Calories | 9g Fat | 24g Carbs | 9g Protein