Dal Chawal – Classic Indian Comfort Food
Summary
- Learn to make a comforting and delicious Dal Chawal, a staple Indian dish featuring yellow lentils cooked to perfection and served with fluffy rice. This easy-to-follow recipe guides you through preparing a flavorful lentil stew with an aromatic tempering.
All Ingredients - Main Ingredients
- Yellow Split Lentils (Toor Dal/Arhar Dal) 1 cup
- Water 3-4 cups
- Green Chilies 2
- Turmeric Powder 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt 1 teaspoon
All Ingredients - For Tempering (Tadka)
- Oil 2 tablespoons
- Cumin Seeds 1 teaspoon
- Garlic (chopped) 1 tablespoon
- Onion (chopped) 1 medium
- Tomato (chopped) 1 medium
- Salt 1/2 teaspoon
- Coriander Leaves (chopped) for garnish
Tools You'll Need
- Pressure cooker
- Pan
- Whisk
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Cilantro?
- Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
- Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dal
Wash 1 cup of yellow split lentils (Toor Dal/Arhar Dal) thoroughly with water until the water runs clear. Drain the water.
Step 2: Cook the Dal
Transfer the washed dal to a pressure cooker. Add 3-4 cups of water, 2 green chilies, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Close the lid and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles or until the dal is soft and well-cooked.
Step 3: Mash the Dal
Once the pressure is released naturally from the cooker, open the lid and gently mash the cooked dal with a spoon or to achieve a smooth consistency.
Step 4: Prepare the Tempering (Tadka)
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a separate pan. Add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and let them splutter.
Step 5: Sauté Aromatics
Add 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic and until fragrant. Then, add 1 medium chopped onion and cook until it turns translucent.
Step 6: Add Tomatoes and Seasoning
Add 1 medium chopped tomato to the pan and cook until it softens and the oil starts to separate, forming a thick paste. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the tadka and mix well.
Step 7: Combine Dal and Tadka
Pour the cooked and mashed dal from the pressure cooker into the pan with the prepared . Mix everything thoroughly.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Garnish the Dal Chawal with fresh chopped coriander leaves. Serve the hot Dal Chawal with rice.
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