Masoor dal tadka
Masoor dal recipe is one of the most common recipes prepared on daily basis in Indian kitchens. On internet you would find it with various names and spellings such as masoor dal, masoor Daal, masur dal, masur dhal, masoor dhal, masura dal etc. In english it is commonly known as red lentils. In Mysore in India it is also known as Mysore Paruppu.
Masoor Dal has many health benefits. It contain high levels of protein, fiber, folate, vitamin B1 and minerals. It helps to lower the cholesterol and helps in managing blood sugar levels. It is a good source of potassium and iron. It is rich in flavones, a class of antioxidants. Few scientific researches have also observed that regular consumption of lentils can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
I have made this recipe numerous time and it comes out delicious everytime. This masoor dal recipe preparation basically has three parts.
First cooking the daal. In cooking I used pressure cooker. It really cooks recipes much faster than simple pot. Add lentils and few ingredients and pressure cook for 8-10 minutes.
Second tempering the dhal. It takes around 5 minutes to get ready.
Third mix cooked masoor dal into tempering and serve.
Simple Isn’t ?
I may have oversimplified it but it is really simple as you would see in detailed steps below.
Have a look on some other North Indian recipe
Punjabi Dal Makhani Recipe
Palak Paneer Recipe
Punjabi chole recipe
Ingredients (measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)
For pressure cooking
1 Cup Masoor dal/Red lentils
2 small-sized tomato, roughly chopped
½ Teaspoon turmeric powder
½ Teaspoon red chili powder
2 1/4 cup water
Salt to taste
For tempering
2 Tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil
1 Teaspoon cumin seeds
A pinch of asafoetida
2 Teaspoon garlic, finely chopped
2 Whole red chili
1 Onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon Coriander leaves, chopped
Few sprigs of coriander, for garnish(optional)
Step by step on Masoor dal recipe
Step 1 . Cooking dal (red lentils)
Rinse dal in running water. In a pressure cooker add lentils, chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt to taste. Add 2 1/4 cup water. Cover the lid and pressure cook it around 8- 10 minutes or up to 3 whistles.
If you don’t want to cook dal in pressure cooker, use deep pot with a lid having hole passage to escape steam. Put the dal and other recommended ingredients along with 3 cups of water. Stir and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, close with a lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until cooked.
Once dal is cooked, mush it little by stirring with a spatula. Keep it aside.
Step 2. Preparing Tadka (Tempering)
In a different pan, heat up ghee or oil on medium heat. Add cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add chopped garlic and saute till they change colour to golden brown. Add whole chilies, stir for 10 seconds. Add chopped onions and saute till becomes golden in colour.
Step 3. Mixing dal into tadka
Once tadka (tempering) is ready, pour cooked dal (lentils) in the pan and mix them. Add required water to adjust consistency (I added 1 cup of water). Put the lid on pan and simmer the mixture on low heat for 8- 10 minutes. Turn off the flame. Lastly add chopped coriander leaves and cover the pan with lid.
Masoor dal recipe is ready. Garnish it with coriander leaves and serve it with basmati rice or chapati/phulka.
Masoor dal (daal) is one of the most common recipes prepared on daily basis in Indian kitchens. I have made this recipe numerous time and it comes out delicious everytime.
- 1 Cup Masoor dal/Red lentils
- 2 small-sized tomato roughly chopped
- ½ Teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ Teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 1/4 cup water
- Salt to taste
- 2 Tablespoon ghee or vegetable oil
- 1 Teaspoon cumin seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida
- 2 Teaspoon garlic finely chopped
- 2 Whole red chili
- 1 Onion chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Coriander leaves chopped
- Few sprigs of coriander for garnish(optional)
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Rinse daal in running water. In a pressure cooker add lentils, chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt to taste. Add 2 1/4 cup water. Cover the lid and pressure cook it around 8- 10 minutes or up to 3 whistles.
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If you don't want to cook dal in pressure cooker, use deep pot with a lid having hole passage to escape steam. Put the dal and other recommended ingredients along with 3 cups of water. 6. Stir and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, close with a lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until cooked. Once dal is cooked, mush it little by stirring with a spatula. Keep it aside.
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In a different pan, heat up ghee or oil on medium heat. Add cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add chopped garlic and saute till they change colour to golden brown. Add whole chilies, stir for 10 seconds. Add chopped onions and saute till becomes golden in colour.
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Once tadka (tempering) is ready, pour cooked dal (lentils) in the pan and mix them. Add required water to adjust consistency (I added 1 cup of water). Put the lid on pan and simmer the mixture on low heat for 8- 10 minutes. Turn off the flame. Lastly add chopped coriander leaves and cover the pan with lid. Masoor dal recipe is ready. Garnish it with coriander leaves and serve it with basmati rice or chapati/phulka.
April J Harris says
Your Dhal recipe sounds delicious and your photographs are wonderful! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.
John says
Made this for an office potluck. Was missing asafoetida but everyone loved it.
Todd says
Most amazing and authentic recipe I’ve found. I’ve made it with and without asafoetida and haven’t noticed a difference, but then again it is usually a long time between making this recipe. The key is to make sure the lentils are cooked but not completely dissolved as my Indian friends have told me.