Delicious Dals ~ Dal Tadka / Tadka Dal / Tarka Dal

D for Dal Tadka

(Dal is the Hindi term used for both dried and cooked legumes.)

A meal of dal and rice spells comfort to most Indians regardless of where they have come from. Legumes play a significant role in both vegetarian and non vegetarian homes of India and a simple, nutritious dal is the most essential part of everyday cooking. The variety of legumes used, the cooking techniques applied or the ingredients that go into the preparation may vary regionally but dal is a part of the rich, culinary tradition of Indian sub continent.  

Dal tadka is one such simple, heartwarming legume preparations from the northern parts of India. Chana dal / toor dal / moong cooked until creamy, flavored with a ghee tadka and served with rice / dal sounds so heavenly. 

Check what other marathoners are cooking during BM#15..

Ingredients (4 - 6 servings):

1 cup chana dal / yellow split peas (or substitute with toor dal)

1 Tbsp oil / ghee

1 tsp ginger grated

1 tsp cumin seeds

5 - 6 Serrano peppers, sliced lengthwise or any other variety green chillies as needed

A pinch of asafoetida

1/8 tsp turmeric powder

1 onion, chopped fine

2 tomatoes, chopped fine

Salt to taste

Chopped cilantro to garnish

Crisp fried onions to garnish (optional but recommended)

(Use garlic if you prefer it. Some add spice powders too to this dish but I keep it to this basic version which is appealing to both my eyes and tummy.)

Method:

* Soak chana dal ahead, for about 1 - 2hours. Cook chana dal in a pressure cooker until the dal reaches break apart stage. You can further whisk it or mash it with the back of a ladle.

* Heat oil in a pan and add ginger. Fry until it turns brown and crisp and then add the cumin seeds. When it starts to brown, add chillies, turmeric and asafoetida. Fry for few seconds, add the onions and keep frying on low flame until it turns translucent. Later add the tomatoes and cook until mushy.

* Add chana dal and salt to the onion - tomato mixture and simmer for a couple of minutes.

* Garnish with cilantro and fried onions.

* Serve with warm rotis / rice.

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