Lentil Soup served with Rice

Lentil Soup is also known as Daal in the East Indian Culture. Lentil soup can consist of a variety of lentils including split peas and beans (channa daal or mung beans). suffice it to say, the recipe is consistent for most beans and the same steps can be followed.
The night before I want to make lentil soup, I always soak the beans in water. I will say that if you would like to make this recipe, then be sure to read it all the way through before making it because it is a step-by-step process and a few ingredients are saved for later.

For this recipe you will need:
2 cups of Masoor Daal (presoaked from the night before)
3-4 cups of water
1/4 cup Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Prefried Onions

1 tbsp Red Chili Powder
1 tbsp Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp Garam Masala
1 tbsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp saltThatka

1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp curry leaves (optional)

1. In a Dutch oven, add 2 tbsp of oil and prefried onions. Fry for 1 min.
2. Add Red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and coriander powder and fry spices for 1 min.
3. Add Presoaked Daal and cover with a fresh batch of water just until the beans are covered. Add salt to taste. Bring to a boil, and simmer for another 40-60 mins until the flavours are melded and a medium consistency is achieved.
4. Finally, heat one tablespoon of oil to a small saucepan. Sprinkle cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds. Next add curry leaves and fry for another 10-20 secs. Add the Thatka mixture to the simmering Daal  and cook for 2-3 mins.
5. And Voila! this is your Lentil Soup. This can be served alongside rice and potatoes (which is what we do most of the time) or serve it alongside some crackers or buttered toast as a hearty soup.

This recipe brings us to the end of the Expected Party's Cuisine Week Series. Thanks for joining me, it was really eye opening on how hard it is to blog everyday, I really have to give credit to those of you bloggers who do blog every day! Its more than a full time job to say the least. I'll be back in a few days with a moodboard for another space that I am working on right now.
See you soon,
Ameera