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Dal Tadka Recipe

Dal Tadka Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 3
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup toor dal
  • 1/4 cup moong dal
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt as needed
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 4 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 small tomato finely chopped
  • 1 green chili chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 dried red chili
  • 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice optional

Method
 

  1. Wash toor dal and moong dal well until the water runs mostly clear.
  2. Add the dal to a pressure cooker with water, turmeric powder, and salt.
  3. Pressure cook for 3–4 whistles, or until the dal becomes soft.
  4. Once the pressure releases, mash the dal lightly and adjust the consistency with hot water if needed.
  5. Heat ghee in a pan on medium flame.
  6. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
  7. Add chopped garlic and dried red chili. Cook until the garlic turns lightly golden.
  8. Add chopped onion and green chili. Cook until the onion becomes soft.
  9. Add chopped tomato, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Cook until the tomato becomes soft.
  10. Pour this tadka into the cooked dal and mix well.
  11. Simmer the dal for 3–4 minutes.
  12. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and add lemon juice if desired.
  13. Serve hot with rice, jeera rice, roti, or paratha.

Notes

Use a mix of toor dal and moong dal for better texture. Mash the dal lightly for a creamy consistency. Add hot water to adjust the thickness after cooking. Do not burn the garlic while making tadka. Use ghee for the best flavor, but oil can also be used.