Dal Fry Recipe – Dhaba Style with Secret tadka

Time and servings

Prep time	5 min
Cook time	20 min
Total time	25 min
Serves	3 servings

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About

Dal Fry is one of the most loved lentil curries enjoyed across India. The simple, easy recipe has become a common dish that people prepare at home. Moreover, people prepare it regularly for both everyday meals and special occasions. You can serve this curry for lunch, dinner, and breakfast on certain occasions. The dish matches perfectly with all types of rice and bread, including roti, paratha, and naan. Many people choose to eat it as a soup because it brings them comfort. Some recipes use a single dal, while others combine multiple lentils for a silky smooth consistency. The simple addition of spices creates rich flavours that satisfy a wide range of taste buds. The simple curry dish has become a popular dish which people continue to enjoy from one generation to the next. The dhaba-style dal combines toor dal and moong dal to create a rich texture which delivers a balanced taste. The toor dal adds body to the dish, while the moong dal creates a smooth, creamy texture. The lentils absorb the delicious flavours from the combination of onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. The curry gains additional flavour and scent through the application of a flavorful tadka. Additionally, garlic, ginger, green chilli, and curry leaves add flavour to every spoonful. Moreover, the recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together quickly. The dish is an ideal choice for both festive celebrations and everyday use. The dal serves as a delicious rice curry and a tasty side dish for roti. The dhaba-style dal fry provides customers with warm, delicious food that brings them comfort with each bite. Fun Fact:

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Ingredients

• ¾ cup toor dal
• 3½ cup water
• 1 tbsp ghee / clarified butter
• 1 tsp mustard / rai
• 1 tsp jeera / cumin
• 1 dried red chilli (broken)
• few curry leaves
• pinch of hing / asafoetida
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 green chilli (slit)
• ¼ tsp turmeric / haldi
• ½ tsp kashmiri red chilli powder / lal mirch powder
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• 1 tomato (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp coriander (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp kasuri methi / dry fenugreek leaves

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Instructions

1. firstly in a pressure cook ¾ cup toor dal and 3 cup water for 5 whistles.
2. now in another kadai heat 1 tbsp ghee and splutter 1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp jeera, 1 dried red chilli, few curry leaves and pinch of hing.
3. add in 1 onion followed by 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and 1 green chilli. saute well.
4. further add ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp chilli powder and ½ tsp coriander powder. saute on low flame.
5. additionally add 1 tomato and saute till it turns soft and mushy.
6. add the cooked dal along with 1 tsp salt. mix well.
7. simmer for 5 minutes or till dal turns smooth and absorbs flavour.
8. now add ¼ tsp garam masala, 1 tbsp coriander and 1 tsp crushed kasuri methi.
9. finally, serve dal fry with hot jeera rice or ghee rice.

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Step-by-step

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Video

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Tips

Dal Fry is a comforting lentil curry made with toor dal, moong dal, and a flavourful dhaba-style tadka. It pairs perfectly with rice, roti, jeera rice, naan, or even as a warm bowl of soup.

1. Mix the lentils: Combine toor dal and moong dal to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. This combination also helps the dal absorb flavours more effectively.
2. Cook the dal well: Pressure-cook the lentils until they are tender and mash easily. A well-cooked dal creates the perfect base for a silky curry.
3. Roast Spices: Sauté the onions, tomatoes, and spices until fragrant. This step builds the rich dhaba-style flavour in the curry.
4. Tadka: Heat ghee with cumin, garlic, red chilli, and hing just before serving. This final tempering adds aroma and enhances the overall taste.
5. Simmer: Let the dal simmer for a few minutes after adding the tadka. This process allows the flavours to blend evenly throughout the curry.

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FAQ

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Notes

• Firstly, add a combination of toor dal and moong dal for a richer flavour.
• Also, preparing dal with ghee will give it the flavour of a restaurant.
• Additionally, adjust the dal’s consistency by adding water as needed.
• Finally, the dal fry recipe tastes great when prepared slightly spicy.