by VegeCravings
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Dal fryis made by adding boiled and softened lentils (dal) to a seasoning of onion, tomato and spices which have been fried in ghee or oil.
Dal fry is a warm and filling dish full of proteins, nutrients and fibre. A spoon of desi ghee (clarified butter) or butter makes dal fry even more aromatic and delicious.
Dal is basically a lentil stew, which is a traditional and most common dish made almost daily in Indian households. Dal fry is one of the most popular dals prepared in India and can be found in the menu of most restaurants.
Dal fry is a healthy, comforting and easy to make dish. It is an ideal dish for a novice to start experimenting with Indian style cooking and recipes.
Which dal to use for dal fry?
Dal fry is a simple Indian dish generally made using arhar dal also known as toor dal (split & skinned pigeon peas). You can also add other lentils in this dish like masoor dal (red split lentil) or moong dal (split yellow lentil).
Serving suggestions
Dal fry is usually served hot and tastes great with some lemon and coriander leaves sprinkled on top and a crispy papad on the side. It goes well with any of the Indian breads like chapati, naan, tandoori roti etc. as well as withsteamed riceorjeera rice.
To make Dal Fry at home follow the detailed step by step recipe with photos posted below.
See more related recipes like:
- Dal Tadka
- Dal Makhani
- Dal Palak
- Moong Dal
- Sabut Masoor Dal
- Panchmel Dal
- Lauki Chana Dal
Dal Fry Recipe
Dal Fry is made by adding boiled and mashed lentils (dal) to a gravy made of Onion Tomato and Indian spices fried in ghee or oil.
Recipe Info
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Servings 4
Category Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Ingredients For Dal Fry Recipe
- 1 Cup Toor Dal (Arhar Dal / Split Pigeon Peas)
- 1 Medium Sized Onion
- 2 Tomatoes
- 4-5 Cloves of Garlic
- 1-2 Green Chillies
- 1 inch Piece of Ginger
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
- 1 Teaspoon Rai (Black Mustard Seeds)
- 2 Whole Dried Red Chillies
- 8-10 Curry Leaves (Kari Patta)
- 1/8 Teaspoon Heeng (Asafoetida)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
- 1 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, or to taste
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Fenugreek Leaves
- 2 Tablespoon Oil or Ghee
Step By Step Instructions for Dal Fry Recipe
Wash the toor dal 3-4 times and add it to a pressure cooker.
1 Cup Toor Dal (Arhar Dal / Split Pigeon Peas)
Add around 3 cups of water and pressure cook the dal till you get 1 whistle. Let the steam come out before opening the cooker.
When the dal is cooked and soft, mash it with a masher of the back of a big spoon.
Heat some ghee or oil in a pan or kadai. Add rai (mustard seeds) and let them splutter.
1 Teaspoon Rai (Black Mustard Seeds)
Add jeera (cumin seeds) to the pan and fry till it starts to crackle. Also add a pinch of heeng (asafoetida).
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera), 1/8 Teaspoon Heeng (Asafoetida)
Add finely chopped onions and fry them till they become light brown.
1 Medium Sized Onion
Add finely chopped ginger, garlic and green chilli paste and fry till it is roasted.
4-5 Cloves of Garlic, 1 inch Piece of Ginger, 1-2 Green Chillies
Also add 2-3 whole dried red chillies along with some curry leaves and fry for a minute.
2 Whole Dried Red Chillies, 8-10 Curry Leaves (Kari Patta)
Add finely chopped tomatoes to the gravy and saute till the tomatoes are completely cooked.
2 Tomatoes
Add salt, red chilli powder, haldi (turmeric powder) and garam masala. Mix and cook till the gravy starts to leave oil on the sides.
1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder (Haldi), 1 Teaspoon Red Chilli Powder, 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, or to taste, 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala
Now add the cooked and mashed dal to the prepared onion tomato masala, and mix well.
Sprinkle some dried fenugreek leaves on the top and mix them with the dal. Let the dal simmer for 5 minutes.
1 Teaspoon Dried Fenugreek Leaves
Dal Tadka is ready. Optionally, add a few drops of lemon juice before serving. Garnish with some chopped coriander leaves and serve along with onion slices and lemon wedges. Enjoy this dal along with any rice or Indian bread preparation.
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