Lentil Pulav / Masoor Pulav

Lot of people can do a lot of things. Some are natural at swimming or arts or music. Me? I am a natural when it comes to food. Not just the eating part, but making part of it. Oh yes, I love food. If not for the consciousness of getting wide and wider, I could live to eat good food. My mother and grand mother used to say that there is something in a person's hand that whatever they cook, becomes great tasting. I don't think it has anything to do with the hand. It has everything to do with mind - understanding flavors and understanding the math of how much to use for what. Here is a simple rice and lentil dish that serves as a main dish. A one pot meal to be exact.

One Year Back - Oatmeal Bread
Two Years Back - Zucchini Bread
Ingredients:
Whole Masoor / Red or Green lentils - 1/2 cup
Basmati rice - 1 cup soaked in water for 30 minutes
Oil - 2 TBSP
Cumin - 1 tsp
Red onion - 3 medium or 2 large sliced thin
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1/2 - 3/4 tsp
Amchoor powder / Dry Mango powder - 1/2 tsp (See Notes)
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - 1/4 cup chopped

Method:
Wash and rinse masoor. Add enough water and start cooking it till cooked but not mushy. Turn off the heat and drain the excess water. Save it for using while cooking the rice.
In a pan, heat oil. When hot, add cumin followed by onion. Sprinkle some salt and let it wilt. When onions are almost cooked, add red chilli powder, amchoor powder, cumin powder. Mix all well and add drained rice, cooked lentil. Mix one more time and add enough water to the reserved water to make 2 cups. Pour it into the pot and bring to a boil. Add more salt if required. When there is a full boil and most of the water has evaporated, add cilantro and lower the flame and cover with a lid. Cook for 5 - 10 more minutes till rice is completely cooked. Turn off the heat and fluff the rice after 10 minutes. Serve with raita or plain yogurt.

Notes:
If you cannot get dry mango powder, when the rice is done, add the juice of a lime and mix well.

Linking it to Srivalli's Blogging Marathon.

Enjoy.