Onion Garlic Dal

Chopped scallions (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I know, I know, you are probably going to say that “most people know how to make Dal, what’s so new about yours ? “What I have realized after making Dal so many times is that Dal is best made simple.  I have tried to make it taste different by adding peas or basil or garam masala but the award for the best Dal goes to “plain Jane”. It is best made in a pressure cooker for optimum taste. Using spring onions also made it better somehow. So here goes:Ingredients:1 cup Tor Dal(togri bele in Kannada)1 bunch scallions(or spring onions) chopped

Half a lime

2 tsp Ginger and Garlic paste

1-2 tsp oil (I used olive oil)

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1-2 green chillies chopped (depends on how hot you want it)

For tadka: jeera and mustard seeds

Salt to taste ( 1.5 tsp should do it)

Water to cook

Some Coriander leaves(cilantro)

Directions:

Prep: Clean and soak the Dal in water for at-least half an hour). Even if you don’t do this, it turns out well 🙂 . Anyway, try !

Put the oil in the cooker or pan (pan should have a fitted lid).  Add the tadka and wait till the mustard seeds start flying around. 

Fry the spring onions till translucent. Add the ginger garlic paste and sauté till the raw smell is gone.

Now add the turmeric powder, chillies and lime to the mix.

Now add the Toor Dal, and around 2 cups of water. Mix well.

Add salt to taste. You can cross check this by tasting the water.

Here’s how the finished stuff looks.

Pressure cook for 3 whistles.  Cook on low flame for another 10 minutes.  In case of a pan, cook for around 15-20 minutes. Garnish with coriander.

Dal’s done. In case you are not feeling lazy, you can also add hing (asafoetida) and curry leaves to the tadka. Don’t forget to add some sugar and some love for added measure 🙂

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