Masoor Dal Tadka Recipe – Dhaba Style

Time and servings

Prep time	5 min
Cook time	30 min
Total time	35 min
Serves	5 servings

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About

It is a simple lentil curry recipe prepared with whole masoor dal or red lentils and a combination of basic spices and herbs. Masoor Dal Tadka, or Akkha Masoor dal, is a complete meal with rice and roti, providing the necessary nutrients and supplements. It is typically made in a thick texture and thus helps to serve as a side dish curry with different types of roti and bread. Masoor Dal Tadka can be prepared in many ways, but the most common way is to make it a Tadka or fry variant. The significant difference is the use of lentils. The split of whole lentils gives a different type of texture to the curry. Typically, the thick texture can be multipurpose and used as a rice and roti side dish. However, the thin texture can be an ideal rice side dish or served as lentil soup.

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Ingredients

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for pressure cooking:

• 1 cup whole masoor dal
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp cloves
• 1 pod black cardamom
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 1 tsp cumin
• 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 inch ginger (grated)
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• pinch hing
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tomato (chopped)
• 3 cup water
• 2 tbsp coriander (finely chopped)

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for tempering:

• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 chilli
• pinch hing
• pinch chilli powder
• pinch garam masala

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Instructions

1. Firstly, in a bowl soak 1 cup whole masoor dal for 4 hours. If you are soaking in hot water then soak for 30 minutes.
2. In a pressure cooker take 2 tbsp oil. Add 1 bay leaf, ½ tsp cloves, 1 pod black cardamom, 1 inch cinnamon and 1 tsp cumin. Saute until the spice turn aroamtic.
3. Also saute 4 cloves garlic, 1 inch ginger till it turns aromatic.
4. Further, add 1 onion and saute well.
5. Keeping the flame on low, add ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp cumin powder, pinch thing and 1 tsp salt. Saute on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
6. Add 2 tomato and saute until the tomato softens.
7. Now add soaked dal, 3 cup water and mix well.
8. Pressure cook for 5 whistles or until the dal is cooked well.
9. Mash the dal slightly, to get desired consistency.
10. To prepare the tempering, heat 2 tbsp ghee. Add 1 tsp cumin, 2 chilli, pinch thing, pinch chilli powder and pinch garam masala.
11. Mix till the spices turn aromatic.
12. Pour the tempering over the dal and add 2 tbsp coriander. Mix well.
13. Finally, enjoy Akhha Masoor Dal Recipe with roti or rice.

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Step-by-step

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Video

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Notes

• Firstly, adjust the consistency of dal before serving, as the dal thickens soon.
• Additionally, adjust the amount of green chilli depending on the spice level.
• Furthermore, pour the tempering just before serving to enhance the flavour of masoor dal fry.
• Finally, Akhha Masoor Dal Recipe taste great when cooked on low flame.