Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsTaj StamfordTadka Dal Recipe

Tadka Dal Recipe

Inspired by Taj Stamford
Time45m
Serves4

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

For Tempering

Method

Preparation

  1. 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. 2

    Chop the Vegetables

    Finely chop the onion, tomato, green chili, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.

Cooking the Lentils

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  1. 6

    Heat Oil or Ghee

    In a small pan, heat the oil or ghee over medium heat.

  2. 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.

  3. 8

    Combine with Lentils

    Pour the tempering over the cooked lentils and stir well to combine. Adjust salt if needed.

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