How do I cook flavorful indian dal for my thali?

Spice up your 'Indian Thali' with our delicious Dal recipe. A comforting lentil dish that adds the perfect balance of flavors and nutrients!

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I cook flavorful Indian Dal for my Thali. Items include: yellow split peas (toor dal) water onion garlic cloves ginger tomatoes ghee or oil cumin seeds mustard seeds turmeric powder garam masala red chili powder salt cilantro

yellow split peas (toor dal) 1 cup
water 2 cups
onion 1
garlic cloves 3
ginger 1 teaspoon
tomatoes 2
ghee or oil 2 tablespoons
cumin seeds 1 teaspoon
mustard seeds 1 teaspoon
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon
garam masala 1 teaspoon
red chili powder 1 teaspoon
salt to taste
cilantro a handful

Take note
Be careful while handling hot pans and spices. Also, prepare to have your kitchen filled with delicious aromas that may attract hungry loved ones!

1

Gather the Ingredients

Get together these tasty ingredients: 1 cup of yellow split peas (toor dal), 2 cups of water, 1 diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, 2 chopped tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of garam masala, 1 teaspoon of red chili powder, salt to taste, and a handful of chopped cilantro for garnish.

2

Cook the Dal

Rinse the yellow split peas thoroughly and add them to a pot with the water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the dal is soft and cooked.

3

Temper the Spices

In a separate pan, heat the ghee or oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then, add the diced onion and sauté until it turns golden brown.

4

Add the Aromatics

Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Then, add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and release their juices.

5

Seasoning and Flavoring

Now, it's time to add the aromatic spices. Sprinkle in the turmeric powder, garam masala, and red chili powder. Give it a good stir to coat the onions and tomatoes with the spices.

6

Combine the Dal and Tempered Spices

Transfer the cooked dal into the pan with the tempered spices. Mix it all together until well combined. Let it simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

7

Garnish and Serve

Finish off this delightful dish by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve hot with steamed rice, naan, or roti for a complete Indian Thali experience.