Daal Curry

Description

Dal Curry, also known as Dal Tadka or Dal Fry, is a popular and nutritious Indian dish made with lentils. There are various types of lentils used in dal curry, such as yellow lentils (moong dal), split red lentils (masoor dal), or split pigeon peas (toor dal). Here’s a basic recipe for making Dal Curry:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow lentils (moong dal, masoor dal, or toor dal)
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 green chili, chopped (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

For Tadka (Tempering):

• 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2-3 dried red chilies
• A few curry leaves

Instructions:

1. Prepare Lentils:
   • Rinse the lentils thoroughly and cook them in a pressure cooker with enough water until they are soft and mushy. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can cook them in a regular pot until tender.
2. Make the Dal Base:
   • In a separate pan, heat ghee or oil. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
   • Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent.
3. Add Aromatics:
   • Add ginger-garlic paste and green chili. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
4. Add Tomatoes and Spices:
   • Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil starts to separate.
   • Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and a pinch of asafoetida. Mix well.
5. Combine with Cooked Lentils:
   • Add the cooked lentils to the pan. Mix everything well, ensuring a smooth consistency. If the dal is too thick, you can add some water to reach the desired consistency.
6. Season with Salt:
   • Add salt to taste and let the dal simmer for a few minutes.
7. Prepare Tadka (Tempering):
   • In a separate small pan, heat ghee or oil for tempering. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Let them splutter and release their aroma.
8. Add Tadka to Dal:
   • Pour the tempering over the dal and mix well.
9. Garnish and Serve:
   • Garnish the dal with fresh coriander leaves.
   • Serve hot with rice or Indian bread like roti or naan.

Dal Curry is a wholesome and comforting dish that is rich in protein and pairs well with a variety of Indian bread and rice dishes.