How to Microwave Lentils when You Run out of Gas

The nightmare happened in broad daylight to me yesterday at around 1pm when I had finished making rice and had to cook dal for my family(and parents arriving from India). I ran out of gas!!! I was terrified because without gas it becomes hard to cook. LOL. And, I had never made dal this way in the microwave. So, I took God's name and managed to do this. Enjoy! Note: If you do not wish to season this, simply add salt, pepper and enjoy it as a soup!

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup yellow lentils (toor dal)
• 6  cups water

Directions

1. Put the lentils in a colander or bowl and wash under atlast 10-12 changes of water to get rid of small dirt pieces that are packed alongwith lentils. You may need to wash less depending on how clean the lentil packet is.
2. Soak the lentils in a bowl of clean water for an hour.
3. Pour 2 cups water in a microwave-safe(and microwave proof) bowl.
4. Add the drained lentils.
5. Microwave for 7 minutes on HIGH power level.
6. Drain water and refresh the lentils in three changes of cold water.
7. Add water to the lentils until it is about an inch over the level of lentils in the bowl.
8. Cover with a clingfilm wrap and microwave for 7 minutes on HIGH power level.
9. Uncover, drain the scum floating on top and microwave for 10 minutes, uncovered.
10. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.
11. Whisk on low speed using an electric beater or use a spoon and mash the lentils.
12. If they do not mash easily, add 2 cups water and microwave on HIGH power level for 5 minutes. Keep aside and mash when desired.
13. For seasoning, you may use a teaspoons each of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, 1/2 teaspoons asafoetida powder(hing), few curry leaves, a tomato(chopped), 1/4 cup of tamarind juice and some fresh corriander leaves as a garnish.