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The Best Dal Ever

Creamy, aromatic lentil curry packed with warming spices and comforting flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 240

Ingredients
  

Dal Base
  • 1 cup red lentils rinsed
  • 3 cups water or broth
  • 1 tbsp oil or ghee
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger grated
  • 2 tomatoes chopped
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • salt to taste
  • 0.5 tsp garam masala
  • 0.5 lemon juiced
Tempering
  • 1 tbsp ghee or oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 0.5 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 dried red chilies
  • 10 curry leaves optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Rinse lentils until water runs clear.
  2. Simmer lentils with water for 15–20 minutes until soft.
  3. Sauté onion in oil until golden.
  4. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant.
  5. Stir in tomatoes and cook until softened.
  6. Add spices and cook briefly.
  7. Combine mixture with lentils and simmer 5–10 minutes.
  8. Stir in garam masala and lemon juice.
  9. Prepare tempering by heating ghee and frying spices until crackling.
  10. Pour tempering over dal and cover briefly before serving.

Notes

Adjust spice level to taste. Dal thickens as it sits, so add water when reheating.