Well, if you look, there are many good and simple dishes in Indian cuisine, but the easy dal tadka recipe is something else. Dal Tadka or Dal Fry doesn’t take much effort to make, if you add cumin, garlic, and dry red chilies, it gets a great flavor. Also known as paella dal, its taste is distinct and delicious from all other dals. In this post we will share a unique way to make fragrant and healthy nutritious dal takaka, hope you will like our method.
Yellow Dal Tadka Recipe Restaurant Style
Ingredients
- 1 cup Yellow Split Lentils (Toor Dal)
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
For the Tadka:
- 2 tbsp Oil or Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 2 Green Chilies, slit
- 1/2 tsp Asafoetida (Hing) – optional
- 1/2 tsp Red Chili powder
- Fresh Coriander leaves for garnish
Preparation for making dal tadka
- Rinse the lentils thoroughly under running water. Soak them in enough water for about 30 minutes.
- add the soaked lentils, chopped onion, tomatoes, turmeric powder, salt, and 3 cups of water in a pressure cooker or a large pot. Cook until the lentils are soft and mushy.
- In a separate pan, heat the oil or ghee. Add the cumin seeds. Once they begin to sizzle, add the asafoetida, followed by the green chilies.
- Stir for a few seconds, then add the red chili powder. Turn off the heat to ensure the spices don’t burn.
- Pour this ‘Tadka’ over the cooked lentils. Stir well and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Variations in Dietary Preferences
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, nut-free, and gluten-free. However, if you’re following a vegan diet, simply replace the ghee used in the Tadka with a plant-based oil.
Cooking Tips
- The key to a good Dal Tadka is in the tempering. Make sure your oil or ghee is hot before adding the spices.
- For a smoky flavor, you can give a charcoal smoke to the dal. Place a small piece of charcoal on the flame until it’s red. Place it in a small bowl, put the bowl in the pot with the dal, and pour a teaspoon of ghee over the hot charcoal. Immediately cover the pot with a lid and let it smoke for 2-3 minutes.
Presentation and Serving Suggestions
Dal Tadka is best served with a side of hot steamed basmati rice or Indian bread like rotis or naan. You can garnish the dal with a lemon wedge and a sprig of fresh coriander for a restaurant-style presentation.
Conclusion – Easy Dal Tadka Recipe
Dal Tadka is a perfect blend of simplicity, nutrition, and flavor. Its versatility makes it a great choice for people with varied dietary preferences. So why not bring a piece of Indian culinary heritage into your kitchen? Try this recipe and savor the deliciousness of this humble Indian dish. We would love to hear how it turned out and any variations you tried.