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Tadka Dal – Quick & Healthy

Recipe by Food with Chetna

  • Ready in20 min
  • Prep10 min
  • Cook10 min
  • CuisineIndian · North Indian
  • Serves4 People
  • Calories~350 kcal
Tadka Dal – Quick & Healthy

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 250 gramsRed Lentils
  • 700 mlWater
  • 1 teaspoonSalt
  • 1 teaspoonTurmeric

For Tadka

  • 1 tablespoonGhee
  • 2 tablespoonsOlive Oil
  • 1 teaspoonCumin Seeds
  • 2 (medium-sized), choppedOnions
  • 2, choppedGarlic Cloves
  • 1, choppedTomato
  • large handful, choppedCoriander
  • 1 teaspoonRed Chili Powder
  • 100 mlBoiling Water

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1.Prepare the Lentils

    Wash 250 grams of red lentils thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.

  2. 2.Cook the Lentils

    Transfer the washed lentils to a pot. Add 700 ml of boiling water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of turmeric. Stir well. Place the pot on the hob over high heat. Place a wooden spoon across the pot and cover with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to prevent boiling over. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the lentils are soft and beginning to break up.

  3. 3.Prepare Tadka Ingredients

    While the lentils are cooking, chop 2 medium-sized onions, 2 garlic cloves, and 1 tomato.

  4. 4.Start the Tadka

    Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a separate pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and let them sizzle until fragrant.

  5. 5.Sauté Onions and Garlic

    Add the chopped onions to the pan and sauté until they turn golden brown. Then, add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.

  6. 6.Add Tomato and Spices

    Add the chopped tomato to the pan and cook until it slightly softens. Stir in a large handful of chopped coriander and 1 teaspoon of red chili powder. Mix well.

  7. 7.Combine Dal and Tadka

    Pour the cooked lentils from the pot into the tadka pan. Add approximately 100 ml of boiling water to the empty lentil pot, swirl it around to collect any remaining dal, and then add this water to the tadka pan. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.

  8. 8.Serve

    The Tadka Dal is now ready. Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander.

Printed from Fullmeals.com — turn any cooking video into a recipe.

Tadka Dal – Quick & Healthy

Ready in

20 mins

Cuisine

Indian · North Indian

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

10 min

Serving

4 People

Calories / Serving

~350 kcal
Recipe by Food with Chetna on YouTube
Adjust Servings
Measurements
Tap an ingredient to mark it ready0 of 13 ready
All Ingredients

Main Ingredients

All Ingredients

For Tadka

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow each step to make the recipe successfully.

  1. 1

    Prepare the Lentils

    Wash 250 grams of red lentils thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.

  2. 2

    Cook the Lentils

    Transfer the washed lentils to a pot. Add 700 ml of boiling water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of turmeric. Stir well. Place the pot on the hob over high heat. Place a wooden spoon across the pot and cover with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to prevent boiling over. Cook for until the lentils are soft and beginning to break up.

  3. 3

    Prepare Tadka Ingredients

    While the lentils are cooking, chop 2 medium-sized onions, 2 garlic cloves, and 1 tomato.

  4. 4

    Start the Tadka

    Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a separate pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and let them sizzle until fragrant.

  5. 5

    Sauté Onions and Garlic

    Add the chopped onions to the pan and until they turn golden brown. Then, add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.

  6. 6

    Add Tomato and Spices

    Add the chopped tomato to the pan and cook until it slightly softens. Stir in a large handful of chopped coriander and 1 teaspoon of red chili powder. Mix well.

  7. 7

    Combine Dal and Tadka

    Pour the cooked lentils from the pot into the tadka pan. Add approximately 100 ml of boiling water to the empty lentil pot, swirl it around to collect any remaining dal, and then add this water to the tadka pan. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.

  8. 8

    Serve

    The Tadka Dal is now ready. Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander.

Before You Cook

Helpful details before you start
Spice LevelMedium
Chili powder
Ingredient SubstitutionsMissing something? View suitable alternatives.
View 3 swaps
  • No Ghee?

    • Unsalted butter (1:1)
    • Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
  • No Onion?

    • 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
    • 3 tbsp dried minced onion
    • Shallots or leeks (1:1)
  • No Garlic (fresh)?

    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
    • 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
Ingredient Substitutions
  • No Ghee?

    • Unsalted butter (1:1)
    • Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
  • No Onion?

    • 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
    • 3 tbsp dried minced onion
    • Shallots or leeks (1:1)
  • No Garlic (fresh)?

    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
    • 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
AllergensThis recipe contains dairy.
dairy

Storage & Leftovers

Keep your leftovers fresh and ready to enjoy.

  • Store

    Leftovers can be packed for lunch with rice.

Variations

Simple ways to adapt this recipe.

  • 1
    Can be made vegan byDietary option

    Can be made vegan by omitting ghee and using only oil.

  • 2
    Serve with rice

    Roti, paratha, or a slice of sourdough.

  • 3
    Adjust red chili powder to taste

Helpful Tips

Small details that can improve the final result.

  • 1
    Cooking tipUse Boiling Water to Cook Lentils Faster
  • 2
    Cooking tipPlace a Wooden Spoon Across

    Place a wooden spoon across the pot to prevent dal from boiling over.

  • 3
    Flavour tipCook Lentils Until They Break

    Cook lentils until they break up for the best flavor.

  • 4
    TipLeftovers Can Be Packed for Lunch with Rice

Your Notes

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Saved only on this device.

Example: Used less salt, cooked 5 minutes longer, added extra coriander.

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