Masoor dal tadka |how to make restaurant style tadka dal

Dal is an integral part of many indian households.Dal refers to lentils in india.even the soup or stew like preparation made with any lentil is called as dal.



In india dals are made using various lentils like toor dal ,moong dal,chana dal,urad dal or masoor dal.you can make dal individually with each lentil or even using a combination of lentils

Both Dal Fry and Dal Tadka are two popular dal dishes served in Indian restaurants.
There is a difference in the preparation of both Dal Fry and Dal Tadka.

Difference between Dal Tadka & Dal Fry

Dal fry & dal tadka are almost similar except the method of cooking them.In dal fry first tempering is prepared then onions,tomatoes are sauted along with remaining ingredients & then cooked mashed dal is poured on tempering .Whereas in dal tadka first dal is prepared & then a tempering (tadka) is prepared from ghee ,garlic & curry leaves,red chillies & poured on dal .

Few dal recipes on my blog

Toor dal tadka
panchmel dal
Dal makhani
ambat varan
marathi goda varan
Jeera dal
Rajasthani dal
Sambhar

This is a  simple ,easy, tasty masoor dal recipe  for everyday cooking made with masoor dal or pink/orange lentils

the dal tadka can be served with rotis, chapatis and steamed basmati rice or jeera rice with papad & lemon pickle /mango pickle



Ingredients

Dal3/4 cup masoor dal / pink /orange lentil
 1 or 2 green chilies, chopped or slit lengthwise
 1 medium sized onion, chopped
 1 medium size tomato, chopped
 1 tsp grated or chopped ginger
 1 tsp turmeric powder
 pinch  of garam masala powder
 1 tsp red chilli powder
 pinch of asafoetida/hing
 2 cups water
 1 tsp kasuri methi/dry fenugreek leaves
1 tsp amchur powder/lemon juice
 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
 salt as required

Phodni/ tempering/tadka
 2 tbsp oil+1 tbsp ghee
 1 tsp cumin
 5-6 garlic cloves
 2-3 red chilies
 generous pinch of hing
Garnish:
  tbsp chopped coriander leaves




Method: 1.pick ,wash and rinse the dals.

 2.pressure cook the masoor dal with chopped onions, tomato, green chilies, ginger, asafoetida & turmeric powder,salt along with the dals in a pressure cooker for 6-7 whistles till done

 

 

3.once cooked whisk the dal with a churner or a wooden spoon till well mashed and creamy.

4.Now  add cream (optional), garam masala powder,little water, crushed kasuri methi & chopped coriander leaves and simmer for 5 minutes and switch off the fire.


5.Lets prepare the tempering/tadka.heat oil in a pan.add cumin and fry them.now add red chilies, asafoetida and chopped garlic.let the garlic brown.

6.once the garlic gets browned pour the entire tempering  into the dal.cover with lid immediately

 

7 mix lemon juice /amchur powder

8. garnish with coriander leaves .enjoy delicious tadka dal with some steamed basmati rice or jeera rice.


Tips:

1.Adjust the amount of green chilli & chilli powder as per your taste

2you can make above recipe with tuvar dal/ split pigeon pea lentils/Arhar dal