Instant Pot Masoor Dal With Shiitake Mushrooms

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Total: 35 min
  • Active: 15 min
This vibrantly spiced red lentil stew comes together quickly and involves minimal kitchen clean up afterwards. Dried mushrooms deepen the flavors and add an irresistible texture.
Advertisement

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger (from a 1-inch knob)

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Pinch of cayenne pepper

3 cloves garlic, minced

One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes

2.5 ounces dried mushrooms (such as shiitakes)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 pound red lentils (about 2 cups)

1 dried Thai red chile

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges, for serving

Toasted coconut flakes and chopped salted roasted cashews, for serving

Directions

Special equipment:
a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot® multi-cooker
  1. Turn a 6-quart Instant Pot® to the normal saute setting (see Cook's Note) and add 4 tablespoons of the butter. When melted, add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the ginger, coriander, turmeric, cumin, cayenne and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the garlic and ginger are softened and the spices are fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, mushrooms, tomato paste and 4 1/2 cups water until well combined. Bring the liquid to a boil, turn off the pot and cover with the lid. Let the mushrooms sit in the liquid until softened, about 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the lentils, chile, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 2 minutes. 
  3. After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick-release cycle is complete. Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. Remove the chile and stir in the lime juice and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Thin to desired consistency by adding up to 1/2 cup water. Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with the coconut, cashews and a squeeze of lime before serving.

Cook’s Note

Settings may vary on your Instant Pot® depending on the model. Please refer to the manufacturer's guide.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

lfh8888

Scrumptious, and so quick and easy. The leftovers were just as delicious too. I am presently making it for the second time in less than a week!  p.s. I did not have the mushrooms or Thai chile on hand, so I skipped them both and added more cayenne pepper. 

See All Reviews