January 6, 2026

Masoor Dal

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , |
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Masoor Dal

(Pakistani Lentils)

January 6: National Bean Day

We were friends with a really talented and smart guy from Pakistan from our university days some three decades ago. Highlander would play on some sports teams with Shakoor S. and Islander would be work with him on extra-curricular cultural activities. On spring break, when we all had nowhere to go one day due to a late seasonal snowstorm in the Midwest, he invited us to his little apartment when his roommate was away and cooked a nice meal for us. Islander took notes as Shakoor showed her how to make a chicken curry with basmati rice, cucumber yogurt salad and a lentil dish. 

It is Shakoor’s simple masoor dal that we have cooked for National Bean Day. Lentils are like cousins of beans in the legume family. This protein-packed side is budget-friendly for college students, makes a lot to share with friends and family and is easy to make. Masoor dal is humble as a home-cooked meal, but it is also found at the finest Indo-Pak restaurants all over the world. 

Shukriya (thank you) to Shakoor for showing us how to make masoor dal and for his Pakistani hospitality.

Recipe

(Adapted from Shakoor S.)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lentils
  • 1 tablespoon ghee (may use oil or butter)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced (we used jarred minced garlic)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 thumb size piece of ginger, peeled and grated
  • 1 small tomato, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon coriander powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ – 3 cups water 
  • Cilantro leaves to garnish (optional), see Notes

Directions

Rinse and strain the raw lentils with water, picking out the debri, and let the water run clear. Drain and set aside. Mince the garlic, chop the onions, grate the ginger and chop the tomatoes.

In a large pot, melt the ghee or butter or heat the oil over medium high. Stir fry the cumin seeds for a minute or until fragrant. 

Saute the garlic, onion, ginger and tomatoes until soft. Then sprinkle the spices—turmeric, coriander, chili, garam masala and salt. Add the lentils and mix well. 

Pour in the water, more or less depending on desired consistency (thick or soupy). Lower the heat to simmer and cover for 20 minutes. Stir on occasion to make sure the lentils do not stick to the bottom of the pot. When soft and cooked, serve the lentils with chopped cilantro leaves as a garnish.

Notes

  • Shakoor sometimes garnishes this dish with thinly sliced fried garlic cloves or crispy salad onions.
  • Search our blog for other bean recipes.

 

January 6, 2021

Garbanzo Beans Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , , , , |
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Garbanzo Beans Soup

with Parsley and Parmesan

January 6: National Bean Day

On busy days when we do not have time to prepare a big dinner but want something soothing and heartwarming, we make a simple soup out of canned garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas). The garlic chips and Parmesan cheese add flavor and texture while the parsley flakes add color.

We complete this meager meal with slices of crusty French or Italian bread or baguette and dip them in an olive oil sauce that complements the soup well—it uses some of the same ingredients (olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and parsley)—so preparation time is quick and all-in-one.

Try this tasty garbanzo beans soup on National Bean Day and during National Soup Month in January with the bonus recipe for the olive oil dipping sauce for bread for a delicious dinner duo!

Recipe

(Adapted from Martha Stewart)

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (about a tablespoon)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 can (1 ¾ cups) chicken broth
  • ½ cup water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions

Drain and rinse the can of garbanzo beans in a colander. Optional: Rub off and discard extra skin from the beans. Slice the garlic thinly. Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat and stir in the garlic slices.

Add the red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to saute the garlic until it changes color but do not brown or it will become bitter. Remove garlic chips to a plate and set aside. In the same pot, add the drained garbanzo beans. Cook on medium high heat. Smash a bit of the garbanzo beans, leaving a few whole.

Cook for about five minutes in the olive oil before adding the broth and water. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 more minutes. When ready to serve, ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle the chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese and garlic chips on top. Serve hot with crusty bread and dipping sauce.

Bonus Recipe: Olive Oil Dipping Sauce for Crusty Bread

(Adapted from My San Antonio)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

In a small cup, combine the olive oil, vinegar, pepper flakes and garlic.

Salt and pepper to taste. Chop the parsley and mix everything. Invert into a lipped plate. Serve with crusty bread.

Notes

  • We halved the original garbanzo soup recipe for just the two of us.
  • Also try the garlic garbanzo soup recipe for something similar to this post.

 

January 6, 2018

Lentil Soup

Posted by HI Cookery under 01 January | Tags: , , , , , |
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Lentil Soup with Lemon

lentilsoup

January 6: National Bean Day

We are but a few days into the new year and our resolution to eat healthier is fulfilled with this recipe for lentil soup with lemon. In some countries (like Italy, Hungary and Lebanon), these lucky legumes are considered an auspicious new year’s food. The beans’ flat and round shape resembles coins and, when cooked in liquid, the lentils plump up, symbolizing growing wealth. Health and wealth in a bowl are a wonderful way to ring in the new year as well as celebrate National Bean Day!

Recipe

Adapted from Sol S.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lentils (preferably red lentils), rinsed
  • 6 cups water (or chicken or vegetable stock)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 5+ cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the lentils and cook covered for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan. Saute the chopped onions and minced garlic until soft and fragrant.

lentilsoupsteps1

Add the onion-garlic mixture to the lentils. Stir in the ground cumin. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and cilantro leaves. Ladle into soup bowls and serve hot with flat breads.

lentilsoupsteps2

Notes

  • Lentil soup with lemon is also a good recipe to make during January (National Soup Month). We also like to eat lentil soup on Lent Fridays—it is simply delicious while fasting from meat dishes.
  • Thanks to our Syrian chef friend, Sol. S., for sharing this recipe with us.
  • Search our blog for more bean and soup recipes.
 

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