A comforting and classic North Indian lentil dish. Creamy yellow lentils are cooked until tender and then topped with a fragrant tempering of spices sizzled in ghee. Perfect with steamed rice or roti.
Prep10 min
Cook25 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
240cal
11gprotein
34gcarbs
Ingredients
1 cup Toor Dal (rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes)
3 cup Water (for pressure cooking, plus more as needed)
A rustic, gluten-free flatbread from Rajasthan, made from pearl millet flour. It has a nutty, earthy flavor and a slightly coarse texture, perfect for pairing with spicy curries or simply with a dollop of ghee and jaggery.
A refreshing and crunchy Indian salad made with chopped onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. It's seasoned with lemon juice and spices, making it the perfect cooling side dish for spicy curries and biryanis.
Aromatic Dal Tadka with hearty Bajra Roti and crisp Kachumber Salad - a protein-packed, soul-satisfying meal.
This rajasthani dish is perfect for dinner. With 563.73 calories and 19.09g of protein per serving, it's a high-fiber option for your meal plan.
8gfat
Green Chili
(slit lengthwise)
1 medium Tomato (finely chopped)
0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
2 pcs Dried Red Chili (whole)
0.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color, adjust to taste)
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)
1 tsp Lemon Juice (optional, for a tangy finish)
Instructions
1
Pressure Cook the Dal
Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain.
Place the rinsed dal in a pressure cooker. Add 3 cups of water, turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp of salt.
Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium-high heat for 4-5 whistles, or about 15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
Allow the pressure to release naturally. This extra time helps the dal become even creamier.
Once the pressure has subsided, open the cooker and whisk the dal gently until it reaches a smooth, consistent texture. If it's too thick, add a little hot water to reach your desired consistency.
2
Prepare the Masala Base
Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a separate pan or kadai over medium heat.
Add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies. Cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes pulpy.
Pour this onion-tomato masala into the cooked dal. Add the garam masala, stir well, and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.
3
Prepare the Final Tempering (Tadka)
In a small tadka pan or small skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee over medium heat until hot.
Add the mustard seeds and the remaining 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds. Allow them to crackle and splutter, which should take about 30 seconds.
Add the whole dried red chilies and hing (asafoetida). Sauté for just 10-15 seconds, being careful not to burn them.
Turn off the heat completely. Immediately add the Kashmiri red chili powder to the hot ghee and give it a quick swirl. This prevents the powder from burning and turning bitter.
4
Combine and Serve
Immediately pour the sizzling hot tempering over the simmering dal. You should hear a satisfying sizzle as the tadka hits the dal.
Stir gently to incorporate the tempering. Stir in the optional lemon juice if using.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Serve hot with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice, or fresh rotis.
276cal
7gprotein
42gcarbs
9gfat
Ingredients
2 cup Bajra Flour (Also known as pearl millet flour)
0.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1 cup Warm Water (Use as needed, the amount may vary)
2 tbsp Ghee (For serving)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Dough
In a wide bowl or parat, combine the 2 cups of bajra flour and 0.5 tsp of salt. Mix well.
Gradually add warm water, a little at a time, and start gathering the flour to form a shaggy dough.
Once the flour comes together, begin kneading. Use the heel of your palm to push and press the dough for 5-7 minutes. This process is crucial for a smooth, crack-free roti.
The final dough should be soft, smooth, and pliable, similar to the consistency of chapati dough. It should not be sticky or too stiff.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 15 minutes. Do not rest it for too long as it can become dry.
2
Shape the Rotis
After resting, knead the dough again for one minute.
Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll them into smooth, crack-free balls.
Take one ball of dough. Dust your palms with a little dry bajra flour.
Gently flatten the ball and start patting it between your palms, rotating it as you go, to form a thin disc of about 4-5 inches in diameter. This is the traditional method.
For an easier method, place a dough ball on a piece of parchment paper or a plastic sheet. Flatten it slightly, cover with another sheet, and use a rolling pin to gently roll it into a 4-5 inch circle of about 1/4 inch thickness.
3
Cook the Rotis
Heat a cast-iron or earthen tawa (griddle) over medium-high heat. The tawa should be hot before you place the roti on it.
Carefully lift the rolled roti and place it on the hot tawa.
Cook for about 45-60 seconds on the first side, or until you see small bubbles and the color changes slightly.
Flip the roti using tongs and cook the other side for about a minute until light brown spots appear.
For a soft, puffed roti, you can now place it directly on a low open flame using tongs. It will puff up in seconds. Flip to cook both sides evenly. Alternatively, press the roti gently on the tawa with a folded kitchen towel to help it puff up.
Repeat the process for all the remaining dough balls.
4
Serve
Once cooked, remove the roti from the heat and immediately brush it generously with ghee.
Serve the hot Bajra Roti with Rajasthani curries like Gatte ki Sabzi, dal, or simply with a dollop of white butter (makhan) and a piece of jaggery (gur).
