What spices do I need for Indian cooking?

Instead of buying 8-15 individual spices, use a dish-specific moji masala® spice packet. Each blend is pre-measured for one traditional Indian recipe, so you get authentic flavor without sourcing or measuring multiple spices.

Is Indian cooking hard for beginners?

No. With a pre-measured spice kit like moji masala®, Indian cooking is as simple as adding a few fresh ingredients and following the recipe. Most dishes are ready in 30-60 minutes with no prior experience needed.

What is the best Indian spice blend for chicken?

moji masala® offers three chicken-specific blends: Tandoori Chicken Masala for smoky grilled flavor, Chicken Curry Masala (Rasedar) for a rich North Indian curry, and Chicken Wings Masala for crispy Indian-style wings. Each packet is pre-measured for one dish.

Are moji masala recipes quick to make?

Yes. Most moji masala® recipes take 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish using standard grocery store ingredients. No special equipment or prior Indian cooking experience is required.

Easy Dahl Recipe: Indian Lentil Soup in 30 Minutes

Quick Indian dahl recipe — creamy red lentil soup with warming spices. Vegan, high-protein, and ready in 30 minutes using moji masala® Dahl Masala.

by shireen qadri

May 6, 2026

Dahl is the dish Indian families cook more than any other — a thick, comforting lentil soup spiced with cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. This version is ready in 30 minutes using one packet of moji masala® Dahl Masala.

Ingredients

1 packet moji masala® Dahl Masala
1 cup red lentils (masoor dal)
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp garlic-ginger paste
2 tbsp ghee or cooking oil
3 cups water
Fresh cilantro and lemon for serving

Instructions

Rinse lentils: Wash in cold water until clear. This prevents foaming and removes surface starch.
Cook lentils: Boil in 3 cups water for 15-18 minutes until soft and starting to break down. Skim any foam.
Make the tadka: In a separate pan, heat ghee. Sauté onions until golden (5 min). Add garlic-ginger paste (1 min). Add the moji masala® Dahl Masala packet (30 sec). Add tomatoes and cook until soft (3 min).
Combine: Pour the spiced tadka into the cooked lentils. Stir well.
Simmer: Cook together for 10 minutes until thick and creamy.
Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon on top, garnish with cilantro. Serve over basmati rice.

Why Dahl Is the Perfect Beginner Dish

Almost impossible to mess up: Lentils are forgiving — overcooked is still good (just creamier)
Cheapest meal you can make: ~$3 in ingredients for 4-5 servings
Complete nutrition: Lentils + rice = complete protein. Add spinach for iron.
Vegan and gluten-free: Naturally plant-based, no substitutions needed
Freezes perfectly: Make a double batch, freeze in portions for weeks of easy meals

Variations

Add spinach: Stir in a handful in the last 5 minutes for dahl palak
Add coconut milk: Replace 1 cup water with coconut milk for a creamier South Indian style
Top with crispy onions: Fry thinly sliced onions until dark and crispy — sprinkle on top
Use different lentils: Yellow (toor dal) for a milder flavor, green/brown for a heartier texture

Shop Dahl Masala ($5) → · Watch the cooking video →

moji masala® — Authentic Kashmiri Indian Spice Blends
Founded by Shireen Qadri & JD Walsh | Featured in Forbes, Food & Wine, New York Magazine
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