DAL FRY RECIPE | HOW TO MAKE DAL FRY

A basic Indian lentil dish - dal fry made with split pigeon peas, spices &
herbs. Serve this protein packed, delicious and comforting food with
rice, naan or roti. Instructions for regular pot, traditional cooker & Instant
pot included.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips.
© Swasthi's Recipes

Prep Time Cook Time Total Time Servings Author

5 minutes 30 minutes 35 minutes 3 people Swasthi

INGREDIENTS (1 CUP = 240ML )

1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas) (or ¾ cup toor dal + ¼ cup moong dal)
2¼ to 2½ cups water (3 cups for Instant pot, more for regular pot)

For tempering dal fry

1½ tablespoons ghee (or oil or butter)
½ to ¾ teaspoon cumin seeds
½ teaspoon mustard seeds (optional)
⅛ teaspoon hing (asafoetida)
1 dried red chilli broken (optional)
1 to 2 green chilies (slit or chopped) (optional)
1 medium onion (¼ cup chopped finely)
1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste (or ½ inch ginger & 2 garlic cloves fine chopped)
1 large tomato (½ cup chopped or pureed)
¼ teaspoon turmeric
¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
¼ teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
¾ to 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon kasuri methi crushed (dried fenugreek leaves)
2 tablespoons coriander leaves finely chopped

For serving
 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice or as needed (optional)

HOW TO MAKE THE RECIPE

Preparation
1. Add 1 cup dal to a pot or cooker. Rinse it well a few times until water runs clear.
2. Pour 2¼ to 2½ cups water.
3. Pressure cook on a medium heat for 2 whistles. When the pressure releases, open the
lid and mash the dal slightly. If cooking in a pot, add more water as needed and cook
until soft and mushy.

How to make dal fry

1. Heat a pan with ghee, oil or butter. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and dried red chili.
When the spices begin to splutter, add hing.
2. Next add onions and green chilies. Saute until the onions turn golden.
3. Add ginger garlic and saute until the raw smell of ginger garlic goes off. This takes
about a minute.
4. Then add tomatoes and salt. Saute on a medium flame until tomatoes turn soft.
5. Add red chili powder, garam masala and turmeric. Saute for 2 mins till the masala
begins to smell good & leaves the pan.
. Add the mashed dal & mix well. Pour more water as needed to bring it to a desired
consistency. (watch video)
7. Cook until the dal begins to bubble well. When dal fry reaches the desired consistency,
crush kasuri methi in your palms and add it.
. Taste test and add more salt if needed. Garnish with coriander leaves.
9. Serve dal fry with rice, roti, butter naan or paratha. When the temperature comes down
slightly squeeze in some lemon juice.

Instant pot dal fry

1. Press the SAUTE button instant pot and pour ghee to the steel insert.
2. When the ghee melts, add the cumin, red chilli & mustard (optional).
3. As soon as the spices pop, add hing, green chilli & onions.
4. Saute for 2 mins and then fry ginger garlic for 30 seconds.
5. Add in tomatoes and salt. Saute until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
. Stir in red chilli powder, turmeric and garam masala. Add rinsed dal and pour 3 cups
water.
 7. Press CANCEL button. Mix well and scrape the bottom with the spatula to release any
bits of food stuck.
. Optional - You can also place a long legged trivet and then place your rice bowl and
cover.
9. Secure the Instant pot with the lid. Set the steam vent to sealing position.
10. Press the PRESSURE COOK button, high pressure and set the timer to 8 minutes.
11. When the IP beeps wait for the natural release for 10 mins.
12. Mash the dal to suit your liking. Then add kasuri methi and coriander leaves. Taste test
and add more salt if needed.
13. If you like thinner consistency you can add little hot water and mix.
14. Sprinkle some lemon juice over the dal fry & serve with rice.

NUTRITION (estimation only)

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g |

Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 607mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A:
480IU | Vitamin C: 26.4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 4.2mg

Dal fry recipe | How to make dal fry https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/dal-fry-recipe/