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Dal tadka served in a bowl with a sizzling ghee tempering on top
Main CourseVegetarianNorth Indianeasy

Dal Tadka

Yellow lentils finished with a sizzling ghee-spice tempering

TOTAL TIME45 MIN
SERVINGS4 PORTIONS
CALORIES210 KCAL
REWARD XP+100 XP

INGREDIENTS

12 ITEMS REQUIRED
4 P
For the dal
For the tadka
Garnish
NUTRITION TICKET (PER SERVING)
CALORIES210
PROTEIN11g
FAT7g
CARBS26g
EQUIPMENT
Pressure CookerTempering Pan (Tadka Pan)

Execution Timeline

9 SEQUENTIAL TIMED STEPS

1RINSE AND PRESSURE-COOK THE DAL
15 MIN

Rinse the toor dal until the water runs clear, then pressure-cook with the turmeric, salt, and enough water until soft and mushy.

Tip: Dal is done when it mashes easily between your fingers
2MASH THE COOKED DAL
2 MIN

Once the pressure releases, open the cooker and whisk the dal to a smooth, slightly textured consistency, adding water if it is too thick.

3HEAT GHEE AND TEMPER CUMIN
1 MIN

Heat the ghee in a tadka pan over medium heat and add the cumin seeds, letting them sizzle until fragrant.

Tip: Cumin seeds should sizzle immediately on contact with the hot ghee
4ADD GARLIC AND DRIED RED CHILIES
1 MIN

Add the sliced garlic and dried red chilies, stirring until the garlic turns golden and fragrant.

Tip: Watch closely — garlic can burn and turn bitter within seconds
5SAUTÉ THE ONIONS
5 MIN

Add the finely chopped onion and slit green chili, sautéing until the onion turns golden brown.

6COOK THE TOMATOES
4 MIN

Add the chopped tomato and red chili powder, cooking and mashing occasionally until the tomato softens and the oil separates at the edges.

Tip: Oil visibly separating at the edges of the masala signals it is ready
7POUR THE TADKA OVER THE DAL
1 MIN

Pour the sizzling tadka directly over the mashed dal and stir gently to combine.

8SIMMER TO COMBINE FLAVORS
5 MIN

Simmer the dal on low heat, stirring occasionally, so the tempering fully infuses into the lentils.

9GARNISH AND SERVE
5 MIN

Turn off the heat and garnish the dal with freshly chopped coriander leaves before serving.