Lentil Bites

So Many Snacks

January 8, 2022

Next, follow the steps to finalize your dish and finally be able to enjoy it!

* Prepare lentils

If pressure cooking, put the lentils, water, turmeric, cumin, and garam masala into the pressure cooker and cook for 20m to get well cooked soft lentils; after several minutes gently and safely release pressure
If cooking stovetop, put the same ingredients on a pan, bring to a boil and cook, simmering on low, uncovered for a half hour or bit longer till soft, adding any extra water needed to keep the lentils barely covered
In either case, mix in salt and lemon/lime juice

While the lentils are cooking prepare the raitha by mixing the yogurt, cucumber, mustard seeds, and pinch of salt
With a tablespoon or serving spoon, scoop up lentils and, using clean hands, form into a sphere of size that you wish - maybe 1” diameter. If the lentils are not holding together you can dry it with a little bit of fine bulgur or whole wheat flour; on the other hand if the lentils are too dry, mix in a bit more water.
Dip lentil ball into orange/tangerine juice and then roll in bowl with sumac or sage to coat
Using thumb make a thumbprint perhaps ½” deep in the lentil ball and put dollop of yogurt into dimple; top yogurt with few pomegranate kernels, piece of scallion, and pinch of smoked paprika (as an alternate you can use cooked fine bulgur instead of yogurt)