Spicy Urad Dal
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
185 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Spicy Urad Dal
Description
Spicy Urad Dal starts with soaking split urad dal briefly before cooking it under pressure or on the stove until the lentils reach the desired texture, whether slightly broken or creamy. The tempering process involves frying whole spices like cumin seeds, cloves, and bay leaves in oil, followed by ground coriander, chili powders, turmeric, black pepper, and cayenne. Onions and garlic are cooked until golden, then fresh tomatoes are added to create a saucy base.
Finally, minced ginger and green chili lift the dish, complemented by a garnish of cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the tartness. This dal works well as a comforting side dish or a protein-rich main served with rice or flatbreads.
Different dals like moong or red lentils can substitute urad dal with adjusted cooking times. For an oil-free version, dry toast the spices and use broth for sautéing. Leftovers can become a soup by adding additional water and reheating.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup urad dal or use moong dal(petite yellow lentils). See notes for more subs, split black gram lentils
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the tempering:
- 2 teaspoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 cloves
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder or use 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 teaspoon cayenne powder optional, or Indian red chili powder
- 1 cup onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tomato about 3/4 cup, large ripe, chopped
For finishing:
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 hot green chili finely chopped or you can also use mild green chili like Anaheim (use only about a tablespoon chopped or a tablespoon of finely chopped green bell pepper, such as Indian chili, thai chili or serrano
- cilantro for garnish
- lemon juice for garnish
Instructions
- Soak the dal in hot water for at least 15 minutes. Ideally, soak for 30 minutes.
- Once soaked, drain and add to an instant pot with the water and salt and pressure cook for 5 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
- To cook it on the stove top, add the dal, 2 cups of water, and salt to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, partially covered for 25 minutes or until the lentils are tender to preference.
- Make the tempering: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and wait for it to get hot.
- Add the cumin seeds and cook until the seeds change color and get very fragrant. They will sizzle and continue to change color. Then add in the cloves and bay leaves and mix. Then add in the ground spices and mix in.
- Then add in the onion and garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix really well and continue to cook until the onion is golden brown.
- Add in the tomato and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until the tomatoes are saucy. Add in a splash of water if the tomatoes are not juicy enough and if they start to stick to the skillet. This will take 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mash the larger pieces. Add in the cooked dal (lentils) along with the cooking liquid and mix well and simmer until the dal reaches desired consistency. The dal keeps thickening as it sits so you do want a little bit of extra liquid in there.
- Taste and adjust salt and flavor and add in the minced ginger and the green chili and a dash of lime or lemon juice, lightly mix and take off heat. Garnish with cilantro. Serve over rice, roti, flatbread, or naan.
Notes
- You can substitute moong dal or petite yellow lentils for urad dal with similar cooking times.
- For red lentils (masoor dal), reduce pressure cooking time to about 3 minutes.
- Whole urad dal requires significantly longer cooking, around 35-40 minutes pressure cooked.
- To make an oil-free version, dry toast the cumin seeds and sauté with broth instead of oil.
- Adding more water after cooking can turn this dal into a warming soup served with garlic bread.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 185 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 185kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 349mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 170mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 588IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 40mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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