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Ingredients
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Lentils
Vegetables
Spices
Garnish
For Tadka
Method
Preparation of Lentils
- 1
Rinse and Soak Lentils
Rinse the yellow lentils (Toor dal) under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak them in water for about 30 minutes to soften.
- 2
Cook Lentils
In a large pot, combine soaked lentils and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until lentils are soft and fully cooked. Mash lightly with the back of a spoon and set aside.
Vegetable Preparation
- 3
Chop Vegetables
Finely chop the onion, tomatoes, green chili, and ginger. Mince the garlic cloves.
Cooking the Dal
- 4
- 5
Add Garlic, Ginger, and Spices
Add minced garlic, ginger, green chili, and sauté for another minute. Then add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
- 6
Add Tomatoes
Add chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they soften and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- 7
Combine with Cooked Lentils
Pour the cooked lentils into the pan with the vegetable mixture. Stir well, add water if needed to adjust consistency, and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- 8
Finish with Garam Masala
Stir in garam masala and adjust salt to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes.
Tadka Preparation
- 9
Prepare Tadka
In a small pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee. Add a pinch of asafoetida and let it fry briefly. Pour this hot tadka over the dal immediately.
Serving
- 10
Garnish and Serve
Garnish the dal with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve hot with rice or flatbreads.