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A comforting and flavorful North Indian lentil dish made with pigeon peas. The creamy, boiled dal is finished with a sizzling tempering of spices in ghee, making it a perfect everyday meal with rice or roti.
For 4 servings
Cook the Dal
Prepare the Tadka (Tempering)
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A comforting and flavorful North Indian lentil dish made with pigeon peas. The creamy, boiled dal is finished with a sizzling tempering of spices in ghee, making it a perfect everyday meal with rice or roti.
This north_indian recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 269.23 calories per serving with 12.4g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Complete the Tadka and Combine
Simmer and Serve
To make this recipe vegan, simply replace the ghee with a neutral-flavored vegetable oil, coconut oil, or mustard oil.
Add 1 cup of finely chopped fresh spinach to the dal after adding the tadka and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
For an extra layer of flavor, prepare a second, smaller tadka. Heat 1 tsp of ghee, add a pinch of hing, 1/4 tsp cumin seeds, and 1/4 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder. Pour this sizzling tadka over the dal just before serving.
This recipe also works well with masoor dal (red lentils) or a mix of dals like arhar, masoor, and moong dal (Panchmel Dal). Adjust cooking time as needed.
Arhar dal is an excellent source of vegetarian protein, which is essential for muscle repair, building tissues, and overall body function.
The high fiber content in lentils aids digestion, prevents constipation, promotes a healthy gut microbiome, and helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
This dish is a good source of vital nutrients like iron for blood health, folate for cell growth, and magnesium and potassium for heart health.
Spices like turmeric (containing curcumin), ginger, and garlic have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help strengthen the immune system.
Yes, it is very healthy. Arhar dal is an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and essential minerals like iron and folate. The spices used have anti-inflammatory properties. It's a wholesome and balanced meal when paired with rice or roti.
A single serving (approximately 1 cup or 250g) of Arhar Dal Tadka contains around 270-320 calories, depending on the amount of ghee used. It's a nutritious option for a main meal.
Absolutely. To cook it in a pot, first soak the dal for at least 1-2 hours. Then, cook it in a deep pot with water, salt, and turmeric on medium-low heat for about 45-60 minutes, or until the lentils are completely soft and mushy. Proceed with the tadka as instructed.
Traditionally, in Dal Fry, the cooked dal is added to a sautéed onion-tomato masala and simmered together. In Dal Tadka, a final tempering of spices in hot ghee is poured over the simply boiled dal just before serving. This recipe is a popular hybrid, often called 'Dal Tadka Fry', which combines both methods for maximum flavor.
Leftover dal can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. It tends to thicken upon cooling, so you may need to add a little hot water while reheating.