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The Ultimate Tadka Dal Recipe, Step-by-Step

Writer
Difficulty
Intermediate
Total Time
15MIN
Cuisine

Ingredients

Lentils: 1 cup (240g), split moong yellow

Spring water: 4 cups (880ml)

Salt: 1 1⁄2 tsp plus a pinch

Turmeric: 1⁄4 tsp

Ghee: 2 tbsp (heaped)

Cumin seeds: 1 tsp

Ginger: 1 tbsp, grated

Tomato puree: 1 tsp, double concentrate

Asafoetida: 1⁄4 tsp (optional)

Green chilli: 1, slit in half

Red chilli peppers: 2-3, dried (optional)

Red chili powder: 1⁄4 tsp

Garam masala: 1⁄4 tsp

Coriander: Handful fresh leaves, chopped

Learn how to cook Monica Haldar's tadka dal in seven easy recipe steps, to prepare one of the most popular Indian lentil recipes.
Method
01.

Wash lentils 3-4 times until the water runs clear. 

Lentils for tadka dal
02.

Drain well and transfer into a pressure cooker.  Add water along with salt and turmeric and then mix.

cooking lentils for tadka dal recipe
03.

Carefully secure the lid on the cooker and place on a high heat (if your pressure cooker has different valve settings, place on the highest one). 

When the pressure cooker first releases steam, reduce the temperature to medium and cook for 3 minutes. Then turn off the heat and remove from the hob.

 

Steam pot
04.

Allow the pressure cooker to rest for 2 minutes. Allow the steam to escape from your pressure cooker by either releasing the valve or, alternatively, place your cooker under a running cold tap until all of the steam has released.

Carefully remove the lid and check the lentils. The lentils should be soft and tender. Transfer to a serving bowl.

Lentils for tadka dal recipe Monica Haldar
05.

To make the tadka, heat ghee in a small saucepan (you will need to work quickly and continuously mix everything while making the tadka). When the ghee is hot, add cumin seeds and ginger.

tadka dal recipe Monica Haldar
06.

Add tomato puree, asafoetida, green chilli, dried red chillies & chilli powder. Mix continuously and bring the pan back on the hob.



When you see a paste has formed, turn off the heat and drizzle on half of the tadka on the cooked dal. Mix well.

Cooking tadka dal recipe
07.

Then drizzle on the remaining tadka as a garnish (without mixing). Finish with garam masala and fresh coriander leaves.

final plating
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