Making Indian Lentils in the Pressure Cooker

The Husband has always been a big fan of pressure cookers. I, on the other hand, regard them with a healthy level of fear, not entirely sure if the thing is going to blow and kill me. Plus, being able to cook foods in such short periods of time seems like witchcraft. (I’m kidding. Mostly.)

Last year, we finally bought The Husband an electronic pressure cooker. I’m less afraid of this thing, mostly because it beeps if things aren’t properly set up. This alleviates most of my fear of being killed or horribly disfigured in a tragic exploding lentil accident. (Again, kidding. Mostly.)

Last week, I decided that it was time to step up and show that pressure cooker who’s boss. And much to my excitement, it turns out that I’m the boss! (Mostly.)

I read the manual and it said to cook lentils for 10 minutes. At the end of the 10-minute cycle I released the steam, checked the lentils… and they were still like tiny rocks, nowhere close to being finished. So I re-capped the pressure cooker, set it for another 8 minutes and went about my business as it re-pressurized. And then, without counting down, it just told me that it was done. This can’t be right, I thought as I released the steam valve. Yet much to my surprise, I had a lovely pot of creamy lentils.

So, my advice: cook your lentils for 10-12 minutes on high, check them out and see if they’re done. Evidently there’s a fine line between the two.

Tikka Masala Spices

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Serves	14
Prep time	10 minutes

This mixture of tikka masala spices can be used in a variety of Indian recipes.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons corander (ground)
4 tablespoons cumin (ground)
4 tablespoons garlic powder
4 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons garam masala
2 tablespoons ginger (ground)
1 tablespoon chili powder

Directions

Step 1
Mix all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.

Indian Lentils

Print recipe

Serves	10
Prep time	5 minutes
Cook time	20 minutes
Total time	25 minutes
Allergy	Milk
Meal type	Side Dish
Misc	Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot

These pressure cooker Indian lentils turn out creamy and flavorful.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter or ghee
.5 onion (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon tikka masala spices
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups lentils
6 cups water
1 potato (large chunks)
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)

Directions

Step 1
Using the saute function of your pressure cooker (electronic), or over medium heat on the stovetop (conventional), melt butter or ghee.
Step 2
Saute onions until soft and golden. Add tikka masala spices and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
Step 3
Add lentils, water and potato. Cook according to pressure cooker directions, 10-12 minutes on high.
Step 4
Vent the steam release. Adjust salt and pepper before serving.

Results

Guys, The Assistant ate lentils. Without a battle. “Of course I’m eating them, mom. They taste like tikka masala!” Well allrighty, then. If that’s all it takes….