Methi Dal

User Reviews

4.9

57 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    35 mins

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    277 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Indian

Methi Dal

This dal methi is a delicious, healthy and comforting North Indian style dal made with fresh fenugreek leaves, pigeon pea lentils, onions, tomatoes, spices and herbs.

I Made This!

42 people made this

Save this

34 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

For pressure cooking lentils

  • 1 cup arhar dal (tuhar dal or pigeon pea lentils) or 200 grams arhar dal
  • 2.5 cups water for pressure cooking the lentils
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)

For tempering methi dal

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 small to medium onion - finely chopped
  • 1 inch ginger - finely chopped
  • 5 to 6 garlic - finely chopped or crushed
  • 2 to 3 green chilies - slit
  • 1 to 2 dry red chilies - deseeded and broken
  • 1 small to medium tomato, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) - optional
  • 1 cup tightly packed fresh fenugreek or methi leaves - chopped
  • 1 to 1.25 cups water to be added later
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • salt as required
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

Pressure cooking lentils

  1. Pick, rinse arhar dal (pigeon pea lentils) a couple of times in fresh water. Drain all the water.
  2. Add the rinsed lentils, turmeric powder and water in 3 litre pressure cooker. You can also cook them adding water as required in a pan or Instant pot.
  3. Pressure cook the lentils on medium to medium high heat for 8 to 10 whistles or more till the lentils are cooked thoroughly and softened.
  4. When the pressure settles down naturally in the cooker, then only open the lid. Mash the lentils lightly with a wired whisk or spoon and keep aside.

Making methi dal

  1. In a small frying pan, heat oil. Keep the heat to medium. Add the cumin seeds and fry them till they crackle.
  2. Then add onions, garlic, ginger, red chilies and green chilies.
  3. Saute for a couple of minutes stirring often till the onions turn translucent.
  4. Add the tomatoes, asafoetida, red chili powder and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
  5. Add the chopped methi leaves. Saute till the methi leaves wilt and oil leaves the sides of the mixture,
  6. Pour this mixture in the dal or add the cooked dal to this tempering mixture.
  7. Add water and salt as required. You can add water depending upon the consistency you want.
  8. Stir very well and simmer the dal for 7 to 8 minutes more.
  9. Lastly add garam masala powder and mix well. Check the taste and add more salt if needed.
  10. Serve dal methi steaming hot with steamed rice or cumin rice or roti or paratha.

Notes

  • Use fresh and tender methi leaves. If the fenugreek leaves are very bitter then first chop them. Rub and mix some salt on them and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes. Squeeze these leaves to remove the bitter juices. Rinse with water once and then drain any extra water. Now you can use them in the recipe. 
  • For the lentils you can use a variety like chana dal, masoor dal, moong dal, arhar dal or a mix of any of these. Just remember the cooking time will vary. E.g. chana dal will take more time to cook than other lentils.
  • This is not a spicy version. To make it spicy add more red chili powder or green chilies.
  • For a richer and fragrant methi dal include ghee instead of oil.
  • To enjoy the dal for its best flavor and taste eat it hot after it is prepared. On cooling or resting the consistency will thicken and the taste also changes.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 277kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 9g Sodium 415mg (17%) Potassium 156mg (4%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 371IU (7%) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg Vitamin B6 1mg Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Vitamin E 5mg Vitamin K 4µg Calcium 283mg (28%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 10µg Iron 3mg (17%) Magnesium 13mg Phosphorus 26mg Zinc 1mg

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 277 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 277kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 9g 45%
Sodium 415mg 17%
Potassium 156mg 3%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 371IU 7%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg
Vitamin B6 1mg
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Vitamin E 5mg
Vitamin K 4µg
Calcium 283mg 28%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 10µg
Iron 3mg 17%
Magnesium 13mg 3%
Phosphorus 26mg
Zinc 1mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.9

57 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love