Bombay Chicken with Red Split Lentils

Pete Lobert's Note:

This is so fabulous. Oh my gosh it is delicious and actually not that hard to make. You can find turmeric and garam marsala at any Indian Food store and most Asian food stores. It has a super spicy (not hot but strong flavor) Indian flavor and can be hot depending on how much ground red pepper you put in.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 ¼ cups red lentils
• 1 medium onion , chopped fine
• ½-1 hot green chilies , finely sliced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon finely sliced ginger (or more to taste)
• 6 cups water
• 4 -6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon whole cumin seed
• 2 -4 cloves garlic
• ½-¾ teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon garam masala

Directions:

1. Combine the lentils, onion, green chili, ground cumin, turmeric, half of the chopped ginger and 6 cups water in a big heavy pot.
2. Simmer and cover leaving lid slightly ajar for 45 minutes.
3. Next add chicken (cut into small pieces) and salt.
4. Bring mixture to a boil and then simmer for another 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
5. Next get a small pan out and put the tablespoon of oil in it.
6. When hot, put in the whole cumin seeds.
7. As soon as the seeds begin to sizzle (this just takes a few seconds) put in the remaining ginger and garlic.
8. Saute until garlic is slightly brown.
9. Now put in the red pepper and lift the pan up immediately and dump everything into the pot with chicken and lentils.
10. Finally, add the lemon juice, sugar, and garam marsala.
11. Stir to mix and cook for another 5 minutes or so.
12. You can top each serving with fresh cilantro if desired.

Reviews

[JustJanS]

A simple to make, extremely tasty curry. I used thighs instead of the breasts (like them better) and a bit more lemon juice, but otherwise followed the recipe. We ate this with saffron potatoes, a tomato, cucumber and yoghurt salad, and naan bread to dip in the yummy juices of this curry. Thanks for the recipe Pete.

[justcallmetoni]

When I see a recipe so highly reviewed yet offering the results this one did, I have to wonder if I did anything wrong. The directions were so well written, don't think that was the problem. Was a little disappointed with the resulting texture of this dish. The lentils lost all of their form and color leaving a rather soupy (enough so, we served it in bowls over bulgar pilaf) and green-gray product. The flavor was good, but I chose to add a little extra ginger and garam masala to adjust for our tastes. I think it might have worked better if the chicken and lentil were cooked together reducing the total cooking time leaving you with a more toothy legume. Were certainly dabble as I think this has great potential for us.

[amalissya]

Sorry, but I found thiss rather bland to taste and insipid to look at. I was looking for something quick and easy, which it certainly is, but I found the result rather unappetising. The leftovers in the fridge are not calling to me....