How to Cook Dal

Last Updated: November 20, 2022 References

Dal, which translates roughly to “lentil” in Hindi, is an Indian dish that consists primarily of lentils combined with spices to create a hearty, healthful and versatile comfort food.^{[1]
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Research source} Not only is Dal is a quick and easy dish to prepare, but lentils offer a multitude of nutritional benefits including fiber, protein, iron and magnesium.^{[2]
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Research source} There are a wide variety of lentils that you can use to cook dal, so experiment with different types for flavor and color variations.^{[3]
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Ingredients

14 oz. (400 g) split lentils
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 1/2 inch (4 cm) piece of ginger, peeled and chopped finely
1 tbs. turmeric
4 small green chiles (2 finely chopped, 2 whole)
2 tbs. ghee (clarified butter) or peanut oil
2 shallots, finely sliced
1 tbs. cumin seeds
1 tsp. mustard seeds
1 tsp. crushed red chile pepper flakes
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Salt to taste

Steps

1
Prepare the lentils by washing under cold water in a large bowl. Drain the water and repeat until the water runs clear.
2
Put the lentils in a deep pan or large pot and cover with 2 qt. (2 L) of water. Bring the water to a boil and skim off any scum that rises to the surface with a wood spoon.^{[4]
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3
Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, chopped chiles, and a pinch of salt to the lentils. Reduce the heat and cover with a lid, leaving the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape.^{[5]
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4
Simmer gently on low heat for roughly 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. The lentils should be creamy and smooth by the end of the cooking process.
- Add small amounts of boiling water at the end if you would prefer a thinner texture for the dal.
5
Add the two whole chiles to the dal with a pinch of salt. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
6
Heat the ghee or peanut oil in a frying pan over medium high heat and add the shallots. Stir the shallots until they are golden brown and slightly crispy, then add the cumin, mustard seeds and crushed chili flakes. Stir the ingredients gently until the mustard seeds begin to pop.^{[6]
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7
Combine the cooked lentils to the shallots and spice mixture. Stir all of the ingredients until they are well combined.
8
Top the finished dal with the cilantro leaves and serve.^{[7]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I make dal watery?

Community Answer

When you put in the cooker, add a bit more water to it. This will make it more watery.
Question

But what if I add too much water to my dal, making it too watery?

Community Answer

You can remove the water. That's the option you have. Since the tadka is done last, removing the water from the dal won't remove all the taste.