Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Wash the Dal

   Give the yellow moong dal a good wash in a colander under running water until the water runs clear.

2. 2.Add Dal to Pressure Cooker

   Transfer the washed dal to a pressure cooker.

3. 3.Add Tomatoes

   Roughly chop two tomatoes (about 100g) and add them to the pressure cooker with the dal.

4. 4.Season the Dal

   Season the dal with salt (approx. 1 tsp) and turmeric powder (approx. 1/2 tsp).

5. 5.Add Water

   Pour about 500ml of water into the pressure cooker.

6. 6.Pressure Cook the Dal

   Close the pressure cooker with its lid and cook on a medium flame for about 10-15 minutes, or until two whistles are blown. Turn off the stove and let the pressure cooker cool down naturally before opening.

7. 7.Check Consistency (Optional Smoothing)

   Once the pressure cooker has cooled down, open it. The dal should be cooked and soft. Stir the dal. If you prefer a smoother, creamier consistency, you can pass it through a sieve or use a traditional Indian dal ghotni/mathani to mash it. The presenter prefers a chunky dal.

8. 8.Prepare Tadka Base

   Place a small kadai (or saucepan/frying pan) on the stove. Add 1 full tablespoon of ghee and heat it up.

9. 9.Add Whole Spices

   Once the ghee is hot, add 1/2 tsp of whole cumin seeds and 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds.

10. 10.Add Aromatics

    Add 1 tsp of freshly chopped ginger and 1 tsp of freshly chopped garlic to the kadai.

11. 11.Add Green Chili

    Add one deseeded and chopped green chili (optional, adjust to taste).

12. 12.Add Curry Leaves and Hing

    Add about 10-12 curry leaves and a pinch of hing (asafoetida) to the mixture.

13. 13.Cook the Tadka

    Cook the tadka mixture until the mustard seeds start to pop, the curry leaves crisp up, and the garlic begins to brown (do not let it burn).

14. 14.Combine Tadka with Dal

    Remove the tadka from the heat and carefully pour it into the cooked dal in the pressure cooker. Ensure all the flavorful oil and spices are scraped into the dal.

15. 15.Mix the Dal

    Give the dal a good mix to thoroughly combine the tadka with the lentils.

16. 16.Garnish and Serve

    Garnish the dal with a handful of fresh chopped coriander and give it one final mix. The Easy Yellow Dal Tadka is now ready to be served.