Ingredients

• 1 cup toor dal (arhar dal)
• ½ cup moong dal
• 3 cups water
• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 green chillies, slit
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1½ tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp garam masala

• 3 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 5–6 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 dried red chillies
• Pinch of hing (asafoetida)

Instructions

1. Ingredients: Follow the list above
2. Wash & Prepare the Dal: Wash toor dal and moong dal thoroughly until water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps the dal cook evenly.
3. Pressure Cook the Dal: Add washed dal, water, turmeric, and salt to a pressure cooker. Cook for 4–5 whistles until dal is soft and fully cooked.
4. Mash the Dal: Once pressure releases, mash the dal lightly using a spoon or whisk to get a creamy consistency.
5. Prepare the Masala Base: Heat oil in a pan, add onions, and sauté until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chillies, cooking until aromatic.
6. Add Tomatoes & Spices: Add tomatoes, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and cook until oil separates and masala thickens.
7. Combine Dal & Masala: Add cooked dal to the masala and mix well. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, adjusting consistency with water.
8. Prepare the Tadka: Heat ghee in a small pan, add cumin seeds, garlic, red chillies, and hing. Let it splutter until aromatic.
9. Finish & Serve: Pour hot tadka over the dal, sprinkle garam masala, mix gently, and serve hot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Classic Indian comfort food
• High in protein and easy to digest
• Perfect balance of spice and aroma
• Pairs well with rice or roti
• Quick yet deeply satisfying

Common Mistakes

• Burning the tadka
• Skipping hing
• Over-spicing the dal
• Not simmering after mixing dal

Variations

Restaurant Style: Add butter along with ghee.
South Indian: Use mustard seeds and curry leaves.
Spicy: Add extra red chilli powder or green chillies.

Personal Note

Dal tadka is the dish I turn to on busy days when I want something wholesome without much effort. The aroma of ghee tadka hitting the dal instantly feels comforting. It’s simple food, but it always satisfies.