DAAL CURRY SOUP
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup yellow moong dal, washed , soaked for 2 hours and drained
- 1 cup masoor (split red lentil) dal , washed , soaked for 2 hours and drained
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
- 2 green chillies , slit
- 1 tsp grated ginger (adrak)
- 1 tsp grated garlic (lehsun)
- salt to taste
- 3 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds ( rai / sarson)
- 1/2 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)
- 1 whole dry kashmiri red chilli
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
Embark on a culinary journey to prepare a delightful Dal Fry, a staple in Indian cuisine. Begin by combining different lentils (dals) with 2½ cups of water, a pinch of turmeric powder, fresh green chillies, chopped ginger, minced garlic, and a dash of salt in a pressure cooker. Stir the mixture thoroughly and let it cook under pressure for two whistles.
Once cooked, let the cooker release its steam naturally before opening the lid. Set the cooked dal aside for later use. The next step involves preparing the flavorful tadka (tempering). For this, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a deep non-stick kadhai (wok). Add mustard seeds, nigella seeds, and a whole dry kashmiri red chilli to the hot ghee. Sauté these spices over a medium flame for a few seconds, releasing their aromatic essence.
Next, introduce finely chopped onions to the kadhai. Continue to sauté these on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the onions achieve a translucent appearance. Following the onions, add freshly chopped tomatoes and ¼ cup of water to the mixture. Stir well and let it simmer on a medium flame for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Now, it’s time to bring the cooked dal back into the mix. Pour the dal into the kadhai along with 1½ cups of water. Stir the mixture well and allow it to cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
In a separate small non-stick pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of ghee. Add a teaspoon of chilli powder to the hot ghee and immediately pour this tempering over the simmering dal. Stir well to incorporate the flavors.
Your Dal Fry is now ready to be served. Garnish it with freshly chopped coriander leaves and enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish hot. This Dal Fry recipe promises to bring a taste of India to your dining table, perfect for any meal.