Celery Root and Okra Dal.
I’ve been hiding a recipe from you. This is my second year of making it too, and I’ve made it more times than I can remember. Dal. Or I suppose that’s what it is, though I’m a real amateur at Indian cooking and I’ve never had an aficionado give me the thumbs up on whether this constitutes a real dal.
I’m not sure it’s authentic. I’m slowly turning away from the pursuit of authenticity, anyway. I know I love this celery root and okra dal and that’s enough for me. And I know that celery root is the star here, whether it belongs or not; it’s the reason why everyone I serve this to loves it so much. It’s less bracing than celery stalks, brighter and fresher tasting—which is a lot to say, since it’s stewed for quite a while. Sitting in a bowl with earthy, dense lentils, sticky okra, and cooked-down tomatoes, a fresh, bright component like celery root really does a lot.
Which is not to say the other players don’t matter. If celery root is Michael Jordan, then okra is Scottie Pippen (Jim just gave me that metaphor, and I’m trusting him on it.) If okra is Scottie Pippen, then the tomatoes are a player that none of us remember but who was actually quite a lot of help to the team. Red lentils also made a few baskets. Even the mire-poix of onions, peppers, and carrots can play a good defense. I’ve taken this metaphor too far.
But you know what I’m saying. My dal is the perfect balance, at least in my eyes. Spicy, filling, a touch sweet, bright, with a lovely scent of garam masala. Perfect on its own atop basmati rice. Perfecter with a fried egg on top. Great for vegetarians, but you’d be downright dumb not to serve this to anyone who likes food.
I like to slice up my okra—which is a bit of a slimy mess—and combine them in a bowl with diced tomatoes, some spices and white vinegar, and after it sits for 15-20 minutes, add it to the dal. Pressed for time or energy, though, you could just add the okra and tomatoes straight to the dal with a splash of vinegar.
Celery Root and Okra Dal
Season to your tastes at the end. Add more spices, more jalapeno, some hot sauce, whatever suits you. The good part of throwing authenticity to the wind is you never need to sacrifice your tastes.
- 3 tablespoons ghee, butter, or olive oil (or a combination)
- 1 celery root, diced
- 2 onions, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 jalapeno, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 1/2 cups red lentils, washed and picked over
- 6 cups water or vegetable stock (1 cube vegetable boullion if using water)
- 1/2 pound okra, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 3-4 small hothouse tomatoes, diced
- cilantro
Heat ghee, butter, or oil in 6 quart dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat. Once melted, add celery root, onions, green pepper, carrots, jalapeno, and garlic. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until softening and beginning to brown. Add garam masala, salt, and cumin and cook a few minutes more, stirring. Add red lentils, stirring to mix, and then the water or stock. Lower heat and cook, halfway covered, for about 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add okra and tomatoes. Mix in garam masala, paprika, vinegar, and sugar. Let marinate in the fridge until the lentils are cooked.
When lentils are done to your liking, add okra mixture and heat through. Serve on basmati rice with lots of cilantro, a drizzle of olive oil, and maybe a fried egg on top. Since it gets better with age, try to leave some leftovers for lunch.
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March 11th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Forget the pursuit of authenticity. Don’t get me wrong, I love when things are authentic and I love learning about new cuisines, but at home, I do my best and if *I* love it, that’s all that matters. And your dal looks outstanding!!
Also… using basketball as a food metaphor? I think I may explode with glee.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I love dal! I just had some for lunch. Thank you for this lovely recipe. I’ve been looking for a use for the garam masala I brought back from India!
March 12th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Humm…Have you ever been in India?
Eversince, I cant stand on curry and all this stuff.
BTW, Do you have any idea of what can I do to increase a pasta recipe?
I’m in Italy now, and must confesse: Im getting tired of all the same Sicilian food.
:)
March 12th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Dal?! How do I love thee … let me count the ways! Your take on this versitile dish is lovely as it packs in so many veggies. I may even give okra another chance here. The garam marsala, paprika and vinegar sound like a slam dunk!
March 12th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I love celery and okra, so I’m sure I’d love this dal. In fact I have been craving Indian all day. Mind if I come over?
March 13th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I have dal on a weekly basis. But yet to try celery root. I am sure it was delicious!
March 14th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I am part of a dinner club and I am hosting in May. My theme is Indian and I am trying to compile a bunch of dishes. This looks fab! Do you have a good Indian cookbook recommendation?
March 14th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Whether or not it’s authentic, it sounds good to me.
Gotta figure out how you light your photos. I like the effect, which I can’t describe right now :)
March 15th, 2009 at 7:26 am
So, Robin, what’s up? How are you doing? Anything been happening recently? Any news, plans, anything like that? How’s Jim?
March 15th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I think that ‘authenticity’ can vary from household to household so why not have your version? I’m going to try this.
March 15th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Looks outstanding. I still have never used or eaten celery root or okra before, it sounds wonderful as a Dal. I cooked with lentils for the first time last night and made a red lentil curry which was quite delicious but I like the look and sound of this one better, will make next time!
March 15th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I love celery and okra since I live in Germany. Love the okra photo, do you use artificial light?
March 16th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hee hee hee.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I use those swivel desk lamps, bouncing the light off a white wall. Very professional (lol).
March 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Well put Liz. Thank you.
March 16th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Yes! Madhur Jaffrey makes fabulous Indian cookbooks. Try this one: http://www.amazon.com/Madhur-Jaffrey-Indian-Cooking/dp/0764156497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237216944&sr=1-1
March 16th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Oh I wish! We had so much, would’ve loved to share!
March 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Never been to India, though we’re considering a trip to the Indian countryside.
Try my pasta with zucchini and bacon, if you can get zucchini this time of year. Man, it was good. : D http://caviarandcodfish.com/2008/08/25/theres-good-pasta-then-theres/
March 16th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Oh, I’m jealous.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Boy that sounds good. I am going to try it even though I haven’t usually liked cilantro. Is there any substitute that could work? If not, I’m game to give it a new go with this gorgeous recipe.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I’m sure you could sub in parsley or any bright herb. Purple basil would work well. Thank you for commenting!!
March 29th, 2009 at 10:22 am
You know this is right up my gourmet/Indian eating alley! What a great recipe. I will be trying this soon!