Tadka dhal

Name: Tadka dhal
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Indian recipes
Ingredients: 300g toor dhal; 1½ tsp salt; ½ tsp ground turmeric; 1 tbsp sunflower oil; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 medium onion, roughly chopped; 1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; ½ tsp kashmiri chilli powder (or mild chilli powder); Handful fresh coriander, chopped, plus extra to serve

By: Chetna Makan

Published: 5 Apr 16
Updated: 18 Mar 24

Test kitchen approved

Chetna Makan’s comforting tadka dhal recipe combines lentils with turmeric and chilli in this warming vegetarian dish.

Serve as part of an Indian-inspired dinner with Chetna’s spinach and paneer curry, naan breads and mango chutney.

Serves 4
Hands-on time 25 min, simmering time 35-40 min

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Ingredients

300g toor dhal
1½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ tsp kashmiri chilli powder (or mild chilli powder)
Handful fresh coriander, chopped, plus extra to serve

Method

Put the toor dhal into a large lidded saucepan, pour over 1.2 litres cold water, then add the salt and turmeric. Stir well and bring to the boil. Part-cover the pan and simmer for 30-35 minutes on a low heat until the lentils are tender.
In another pan, heat the oil on a medium heat, then add the cumin seeds. Once they start to sizzle, add the onion, green chilli and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is light golden brown.
Add the chilli powder and chopped coriander, then mix well. Add the cooked lentils and bring to the boil. Serve hot, sprinkled with chopped fresh coriander, with rice and yogurt.

Recipe from February 2016 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Calories: 310kcals
Fat: 5.1g (0.7g saturated)
Protein: 17.7g
Carbohydrates: 44.7g (3.7g sugars)
Fibre: 7.7g
Salt: 2g

delicious. tips

The cooled dhal will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat until piping hot before serving.
Toor dhal (or split pigeon peas) is a type of lentil. Find it in Indian shops and larger supermarkets. You can use yellow split peas instead, but they may need a little more liquid and cooking time.

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Tadka dhal

Ingredients

Method

Nutrition

delicious. tips

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