One of the delicious dishes that you can make with lentils during the monsoon season is “Dal Fry”. It is a popular Indian lentil curry that is delicious and comforting. Here’s a recipe to help you prepare it:
Component:
- 1 cup yellow lentils (moong dal or toor dal)
- 2 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder (as per taste)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- salt to taste
- Fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instruction:
- Wash the pulses thoroughly and soak them in water for about 30 minutes. Drain the water and keep it aside.
- Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker or vessel on medium heat. Add cumin and let it crackle.
- Add chopped onions and fry till golden brown.
- Mix ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chillies in it. Fry for a minute till the raw aroma goes away.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook till they become soft and mushy.
- Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala and salt to it. Mix well and cook for a minute so that the spices release their flavour.
- Put the soaked and drained dal in a cooker or vessel. Mix them with the mixture of spices.
- Add enough water (about 3 cups) to cover the dal. Shake it well.
- If using a pressure cooker, close the lid and cook on a medium flame for about 3-4 whistles or till the dal is soft and cooked. If using a vessel, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, till the dal is soft (approx. 25-30 minutes).
- Once the dal is cooked, check the thick consistency of the dal. If it is too thick, add more water and cook on low heat for a few minutes. Adjust salt and spices according to your taste.
- Garnish with freshly chopped coriander.
- Serve hot dal fry with steamed rice or roti. If you like, squeeze a little lemon juice over the dal before eating it for an extra tangy taste.
Dal Fry is a comforting and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed during the rainy season. You can customize the spices and flavors as per your liking. It also pairs well with rice, roti or even soup. Enjoy the delicious taste of this classic Indian dal curry!
