Dal tadka-literal translation means-tempered lentils,is one of the most popular recipe with lentils here.It is a very simple,comforting quick fix kind of dish that one can whip up in minutes.There are so many recipes for this humble dish,varying from family to family.This simple dal tadka is my all time favorite comfort food,of course next to this kuzhambu hehe :). For a long time I had been thinking dal fry and dal tadka ae the same,but once I asked a chef in a restaurant and this is what he said.In dal tadka we cook all the ingredients like tomato,onions etc along with dal and tempering is done at last.In dal fry just boil the dal,saute all the ingredients and add to the cooked dal,this explanation made much sense to me.This recipe is also from the same chef,I just fall in love this every time I make it.Usually I serve this with rotis,but last time I served with steamed rice,raita and fire roasted papad(kachina appalam). It was a soul satisfying light meal,that we thoroughly enjoyed.I highly recommend you all try this dal tadka,you sure gonna love it.
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Dal tadka recipe
Star ingredients:Toor dal
Time:20 minutes
Serves:3
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup toor dal/thuvaram paruppu/split pigeon peas
1 large tomato chopped fine
1 large onion chopped fine
3 green chillies, slit
1" inch ginger,crushed
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt
Cilantro,crushed kasuri methi
Tempering
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 dried red chillies
3-4 teaspoons oil
Method.
1.Wash toor dal thoroughly and boil until very mushy along with tomato,onion,green chillies,ginger.
2.Once cooked mash the dal and veggies with a masher or spatula.
3.Add 1/2-1 cup of water and simmer for 5 minutes.The dal will start om tthicken.Now add salt,garam masala and turmeric and simmer for 3 more minutes.
Tempering:
1.Heat oil in a small kadai and add mustard seeds.Once they splutter add cumin seeds.
2.Add dried red chillies and mix well.
3.Add to the cooked dal and mix well,remove from heat.
4.Garnish with kasuri methi,cilantro and serve hot.
Notes:
1.You can use garlic in the tadka if you like
2.For a very rich flavor and taste use ghee for tadka instead of oil