Jun 09 2026
RestaurantsMonsoon Indian GrillDal Tarka Recipe

Dal Tarka Recipe

Time50m
Serves4

Yellow lentils tempered with spices

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Ingredients

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Lentils

Method

Preparation of Lentils

  1. 1

    Rinse the Lentils

    In a bowl, rinse the yellow lentils under cold water until the water runs clear to remove any impurities.

  2. 2

    Cook the Lentils

    In a pot, add the rinsed lentils and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are soft and cooked through.

Tempering

  1. 3

    Heat the Ghee

    In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee (or oil) over medium heat.

  2. 4

    Add Whole Spices

    Once the ghee is hot, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds. Allow them to crackle for a few seconds.

  3. 5

    Add Aromatics

    Add a pinch of asafoetida, followed by the chopped green chilies, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

  4. 6

    Add Tomatoes and Spices

    Stir in the chopped tomato, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and the mixture is fragrant.

Combine and Serve

  1. 7

    Mix Lentils with Tempering

    Add the cooked lentils to the tempering mixture in the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Adjust salt if necessary.

  2. 8

    Garnish and Serve

    Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving. Serve hot with rice or flatbread.

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