Dal Fry
User Reviews
4.9
Dal Fry
Description
Dal Fry begins by cooking red and yellow lentils together until soft and tender. Simultaneously, a tempering is made by heating oil and toasting cumin and mustard seeds until they release aroma and sizzle. Into this, chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and green chili are sautéed until translucent with a sprinkle of salt to soften the aromatics. Ground coriander, turmeric, and optional cayenne add warmth, followed by chopped tomatoes and lemon juice which cook down into a sauce. The cooked lentils are stirred into this spiced mixture and simmered together, finished with fresh cilantro for brightness.
The result is a lentil dish with a smooth, hearty mouthfeel, spiced but balanced by lemon and herbs. It works well as a protein-rich main dish served with rice or bread. Variations include substituting coconut milk for water for a creamier finish or fast pressure cooking the lentils for convenience.
The tempering spices and fresh ingredients in the mixture bring layered flavors to the lentils beyond simple boiling, making this lentil curry a satisfying and wholesome dish.
Ingredients
For the Dal
- 1/3 cup red lentils , masoor dal
- 1/4 cup yellow lentils yellow mung dal or use red lentils, petite
- 3 cups water
For the Tempering
- 2 teaspoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- asafetida omit if you do not have gluten-free asafetida to make gluten-free, generous pinch, optional, aka hing
- 1 green chili finely chopped, hot, such as Serrano, Indian or Thai
- 1 cup onion chopped, red or white
- 5 garlic clove finely chopped, or more cloves
- 1" ginger finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander or garam masala or both
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, or more red chili powder
- 1 tomato chopped small, large
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon salt or more
- 1/3 cup cilantro divided, packed chopped
Instructions
Make the lentils.
- Wash the red and yellow lentils, drain. Combine in a saucepan with water over medium heat. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes or until yellow lentils are tender. Reduce heat to low and simmer.
Meanwhile make the tempering(spiced oil)
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. when the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them start to sizzle and pop. The cumin seeds should darken in color and get fragrant, mustard seeds will lighten and start to sizzle and pop. Add asafetida, green chili, onion, garlic, ginger and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions turn translucent, about 5 -7 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add splashes of water in between to cook evenly.
- Add coriander/ garam masala , turmeric, and cayenne and mix well. Add tomatoes, lemon juice and a splash of water and mix. Cook until the tomatoes are saucy. Mash the larger pieces. About 6 minutes.
- Add the cooked lentils to the skillet. Add salt and half of the chopped cilantro, and continue to simmer the soup for 3 to 4 minutes, or until bubbling. Taste and adjust salt and spice. Add a dash of lemon juice if needed.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice or flatbread with a side of roasted veggies or Indian spiced vegetable side.
Notes
- You can substitute 1/2 to 1 cup coconut milk for part or all of the water for a creamier, richer dal.
- To make this in an Instant Pot, pressure cook lentils with water for 3 minutes on high and quick release; then add the tempering and simmer for 2 minutes using sauté mode before serving.
- Omitting asafetida makes the dish gluten-free; include it only if using gluten-free variety.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 196 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 196kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Sodium | 655mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 386mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 525IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 16.7mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 55mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3.5mg | 19% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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