Tadka Dal Recipe
Yellow lentils cooked till soft with onions, tomatoes and spices. A tempering of spices like cumin seeds
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Ingredients
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Lentils
Vegetables
Spices
For Tempering
Method
Preparation
- 1
Rinse the Lentils
In a bowl, rinse the yellow lentils (Toor dal) under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Cooking the Lentils
- 3
Cook the Lentils
In a large pot, add the rinsed lentils and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are soft and cooked through.
- 4
Add Vegetables and Spices
Once the lentils are soft, add the chopped onion, tomato, green chili, garlic, ginger, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt to the pot. Stir well and cook for another 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- 5
Finish with Garam Masala
Add the garam masala to the cooked lentils and stir well. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Tempering
- 6
Heat Oil or Ghee
In a small pan, heat the oil or ghee over medium heat.
- 7
Add Cumin Seeds and Curry Leaves
Once hot, add the cumin seeds and curry leaves. Sauté for about 30 seconds until the seeds start to crackle.
- 8
Combine with Lentils
Pour the tempering over the cooked lentils and stir well to combine. Adjust salt if needed.


