Dals as I always say are the most sought-after comfort food on earth. They are rich in protein and go with rice or roti. But the most important part about dal is they have to be really flavourful. By flavourful we mean not spicy or laden with oil but balanced and subtle. This masoor dal tadka is a very balanced and flavourful dal.
Dals in our Indian cuisine are always special, almost every home has a special way of preparing it. Some like it sour, some like it spicy and some like it bland. Whatever is the flavour, it is a common feature in our menu. Masoor dal tadka is a very common dal prepared in North Indian households.
Masoor dal tadka is also very simple to prepare. Protein-rich masoor dal is pressure cooked, a few simple masalas are added and finally an aromatic tadka with oil or ghee is added on top. Here I have used coconut oil as I had run out of desi ghee. It has to be ghee for a special flavour always! Try more dals from FOI:
Dhaba Style Dal Fry
Simple Dal Tadka
Dal Palak
Special Dal Makhani
- ½ Cup heaped masoor dal
- ¼ Tsp hing
- ¼ Tsp turmeric
- 1 tomato chopped
- ½ Tsp jeera
- 1 Tbsp desi ghee/oil
- 1 Tsp jeera
- ⅛ Tsp hing
- ½ Tsp red chilli powder
- 1 chopped clove of garlic
- 1" finely chopped ginger
- ½ Tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Finely chopped coriander to garnish
- Juice of ½ lime/lemon
- In a vessel, take the masoor dal
- Rinse dal with water twice
- Add turmeric, jeera and hing
- Add ghee or oil
- Drop in the chopped tomatoes
- Pour 2 Cups water and pressure cook for 5-6 whistles
- Once the pressure settles on the pressure cooker, mash the dal and tomatoes together
- Bring to a simmer
- Add salt to taste and garam masala, mix well
- Add chopped coriander and mix well
- Squeeze in juice of lime/lemon and mix well
- In a pan heat oil or ghee. Add jeera, red chilli powder, garlic and ginger
- Saute very well, this is the tadka
- Lastly pour the tadka over the dal, bring to a light boil
- Serve hot with peas pulao, jeera rice or plain rice
Adjust spiciness as per your taste, add a green chilli if you like
Ensure dal is cooked well and mashed
Masoor Dal Tadka Stepwise:
In a vessel, take the masoor dal
Rinse dal with water twice
Add turmeric, jeera and hing
Add ghee or oil
Drop in the chopped tomatoes
Pour 2 Cups water and pressure cook for 5-6 whistles
Once the pressure settles on the pressure cooker, mash the dal and tomatoes together
Bring to a simmer
Add salt to taste and garam masala, mix well
Add chopped coriander and mix well
Squeeze in juice of lime/lemon and mix well
In a pan heat oil or ghee. Add jeera, red chilli powder, garlic and ginger
Saute very well, this is the tadka
Lastly pour the tadka over the dal, bring to a light boil
Serve hot with peas pulao, jeera rice or plain rice
