Dal Fry

Dal fry reminds me of rustic, thick dal/lentil at a dhaba (a rustic restaurant situated on freeway or highways for long distance travelers). Thick, spicy dal with steamed basmati rice is a great combination and a comfort food.

As a child I have never liked dal, Instead, I would love to eat my rice with veggies. But now I understand that it is a daily protein source for vegetarians.

It is easy to make and pretty fancy to look too! :)

• Wash 1 cup Toor dal. Add 2 1/2 cup water and pressure cook well until 40 minutes or you hear 4 whistles.
• Use a manual or an electric hand blender to make a rough paste. Do not over blend it. I like this dal to be rustic with some toor dal pieces yet seen. Add 1/2 cup water while blending.  
• Add more water depending on the consistency your family prefers.
• Pour in a heavy bottom sauce pan or kadhai. Add salt and pinch of turmeric and simmer on low heat.
• Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan.
• Add 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds and 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, dry red chilies and a pinch of asoefotida/hing
• Saute finely sliced 1 medium onion (1/2) cup chopped onions till they turn pink and soft. Add 1-2 tsp red chilli powder (or according to your spice level)
• Fry for 2-3 minutes
• Add 1/2 of the fried mixture to simmering dal.
• Pour remaining mixture over the dal and do not mix it. I like the look of bright red temper over yellow dal Add some chopped ginger.
• Garnish with cilantro. 

Here is step-by-step pictorial recipe:

Wash 1 cup Toor dal. Add 2 1/2 cup water and pressure cook well until 40 minutes or you hear 4 whistles.

Use a manual or an electric hand blender to make a rough paste. Do not over blend it. I like this dal to be rustic with some toor dal pieces yet seen. Add 1/2 cup water while blending.  

Pour in a heavy bottom sauce pan or kadhai. Add salt and pinch of turmeric and simmer on low heat. 

Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a pan.

Add 1/2 tsp of mustard seeds and 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, dry red chilies and a pinch of asoefotida/hing

Saute finely sliced 1 medium onion (1/2) cup chopped onions till they turn pink and soft.

Add 1-2 tsp red chilli powder (or according to your spice level)

Add 1/2 of the fried mixture to simmering dal.

Mix well.

 Pour remaining fried mixture over dal. Add some chopped ginger.

Garnish with cilantro.

Serve with Jeera Rice or steamed Basmati Rice.

Enjoy!!