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Dal Tadka

Dal Tadka is a comforting Indian lentil dish made with split yellow lentils tempered with aromatic spices and garnished with fresh cilantro.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 cup split yellow lentils toor dal
  • 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch ginger minced
  • 1 green chili slit
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 cups water
  • Cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker or pot
  • Frying pan
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving bowl

Method
 

  1. Rinse the toor dal under cold water until the water runs clear.
  2. In a pressure cooker, combine the rinsed lentils and 2 cups of water; cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until soft and creamy.
  3. Heat the oil or ghee in a frying pan over medium heat.
  4. Add cumin seeds to the hot oil and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
  5. Stir in minced garlic, minced ginger, and slit green chili; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Add chopped tomato, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt; cook for 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes break down into a sauce.
  8. Pour the cooked lentils into the pan and stir well; simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Garnish with fresh cilantro and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dal before serving.

Notes

Serve with basmati rice or naan and garnish with extra cilantro for freshness.