Indian Dal

Warm, nourishing, and packed with aromatic spices, Indian Dal is a quintessential comfort food in Indian cuisine that you’ll want to make again and again. This recipe features protein-rich yellow split pigeon peas (toor dal) simmered to creamy perfection and infused with the bold flavors of cumin, mustard seeds, garlic, ginger, and vibrant green chilies. A fragrant tadka (tempering) of sautéed onions, tomatoes, and spices like garam masala and coriander powder elevates the dish, creating a hearty, richly spiced curry. Finished with a splash of tangy lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh coriander, this dal is best served hot with fluffy basmati rice or soft flatbreads like naan or roti. Ready in under an hour, this gluten-free and vegetarian dish is a wholesome, easy-to-make crowd-pleaser that's perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow split pigeon peas (toor dal)
• 3 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 0.5 teaspoon garam masala
• 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. This helps remove surface starch that can cause dal to become sticky.

Step 2

In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed dal, 3 cups of water, 0.5 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine.

Step 3

Close the pressure cooker with its lid and cook on medium heat for about 3 whistles or until the dal is soft and cooked through. Alternatively, you can cook the dal in a regular pot, but this will take approximately 25-30 minutes.

Step 4

Once the pressure releases, open the lid and gently mash the dal with the back of a spoon or a whisk for a softer consistency. Set aside.

Step 5

In a large pan, heat the ghee over medium heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds, allowing them to sizzle for a few seconds until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

Step 7

Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and slit green chilies to the pan, and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Step 8

Add the chopped tomato and cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and blend well with the mixture.

Step 9

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of coriander powder and 0.5 teaspoon of garam masala into the pan, and stir for about 30 seconds to integrate the spices.

Step 10

Pour the cooked dal into the pan, stirring to combine it with the spice mixture. Allow it to simmer for 5-7 minutes on low heat to soak in the flavors.

Step 11

Adjust the seasoning by adding more salt if needed.

Step 12

Turn off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Step 13

Serve the dal hot with cooked rice or warm flatbread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1312.3 grams (1312.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1096

Total Fat 33.70g	43%
Saturated Fat 18.90g	95%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 80mg	27%
Sodium 2448mg	106%
Total Carbohydrate 156.90g	57%
Dietary Fiber 38.70g	138%
Total Sugars 17.90g
Protein 49.90g	100%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 280mg	22%
Iron 15mg	83%
Potassium 3724mg	79%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.8%

Protein: 17.7%

Carbs: 55.5%