On a chilly evening, when I just want to feel warm and comforted, a bowl of homemade dal tadka is perfect. It’s so wholesome and hearty, like a hug from the inside out.
Simple Dal Tadka
Ingredients
- 1 cup Toor Dal (split pigeon peas)
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 tomato (chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Steps
- Wash dal thoroughly. Combine dal, water, and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker or pot. Cook until dal is soft and mushy (about 15-20 minutes in a pot, 3-4 whistles in a pressure cooker).
- In a separate small pan, heat ghee or oil. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds; let them splutter. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden.
- Stir in ginger-garlic paste, then chopped tomato and red chili powder. Cook until tomatoes soften and oil separates.
- Add the cooked tadka mixture to the dal. Mix well and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Adjust consistency with hot water if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving hot with rice or roti.