Dal fry
Discover this authentic Indian Dal fry recipe — a satisfying weeknight dish that's an impressive dish that showcases your cooking skills. Made with toor dal, water, salt and 13 more fresh ingredients, this recipe guides you through 6 detailed steps to create a truly memorable meal. Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish. Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or a special occasion, this indian classic is sure to impress.
15
Prep Time (min)
30
Cook Time (min)
4
servings
330
Calories/serving
Hard
Difficulty
Ingredients
- 1 cup Toor dal
- 2 -1/2 cups Water
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 3 tbs Ghee
- 1 cup Chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 2 Bay Leaf
- 1 tbs chopped Green Chilli
- 2 tsp shredded Ginger
- 2 tbs Cilantro
- 1 tsp Red Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
Instructions
6 steps · ~32 minutes total
Step 1
Wash and soak toor dal in approx. 3 cups of water, for at least one hours. Dal will be double in volume after soaking. Drain the water.
5 minutesSave some of the cooking liquid — it can be used to adjust sauce consistency.Step 2
Cook dal with 2-1/2 cups water and add salt, turmeric, on medium high heat, until soft in texture (approximately 30 mins) it should be like thick soup.
5 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.Step 3
In a frying pan, heat the ghee. Add cumin seeds, and mustard seeds. After the seeds crack, add bay leaves, green chili, ginger and chili powder. Stir for a few seconds.
8 minutesTest the oil temperature with a small piece of food — it should sizzle immediately.Step 4
Add tomatoes, salt and sugar stir and cook until tomatoes are tender and mushy.
8 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.Step 5
Add cilantro and garam masala cook for about one minute.
3 minutesStep 6
Pour the seasoning over dal mix it well and cook for another minute. Serve with Naan.
3 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.
💡 Tips & Tricks
🔄 Variations
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Up to 3 days in an airtight container
Freezer
Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge
Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
What to Serve With
Complete your indian meal with these perfect pairings:
About This Dish
Dal fry is a beloved dish from Indian cuisine, originating in India. With a total preparation time of about 45 minutes, it makes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Indian cuisine reflects the country's incredible diversity, with flavors and techniques varying dramatically from north to south, east to west. The masterful use of spices is the hallmark of Indian cooking.
This recipe is rated hard difficulty and uses 16 ingredients. Experienced cooks will appreciate the technique involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best lentils for making Dal fry are yellow split lentils (toor dal) or red lentils (masoor dal) as they cook quickly and have a creamy texture.
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Nutrition Facts
4 serving(s) per recipe
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.
