Step 1: Prepare the Lentils

Take 300g of red lentils in a pot and give them a quick wash with cold water. Drain the water.

Step 2: Start Cooking the Dal

Add 900ml of water to the washed lentils. Add 1 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of turmeric. Place the pot on the stove and bring it to a boil.

Step 3: Prepare Tadka Ingredients

While the dal is coming to a boil, finely chop 2 medium-sized onions, thinly slice 3-4 cloves of garlic, chop 1 tomato, and half a red chilli.

Step 4: Simmer the Dal

Once the dal comes to a boil (after about 5 minutes), let it simmer for 10 minutes. The lentils should be soft and breaking apart when cooked.

Step 5: Start the Tadka

In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp of ghee and 1 tsp of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 tsp of cumin seeds and let them sizzle.

Step 6: Sauté Aromatics

Add the sliced garlic and sauté until it starts to turn golden. Then, add the chopped onions and cook for about 6-7 minutes until they are nicely browned.

Step 7: Add Tomatoes and Finish Tadka

Add the chopped tomato and red chilli to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes soften. While it cooks, chop a handful of fresh coriander. Turn off the heat, add the coriander and a pinch of chilli powder to the tadka, and mix well.

Step 8: Combine and Serve

Transfer the cooked dal to a serving bowl. Pour the hot tadka over the dal. The Tadka Dal is ready to be served.

• Placing a wooden spoon across the pot can help prevent the dal from boiling over.

• For a vegan version, replace ghee with oil.

• The dal is cooked perfectly when the lentils are soft and start to break apart, creating a creamy texture.

• This recipe can be made with other lentils like Toor Dal, although cooking times will vary.