The method of making Dal Tadka is very easy. In this, the creamy texture of lentils, the aroma of spices and the tadka of garlic roasted in ghee makes the taste special. It can be served with roti, naan, jeera rice or plain rice. Let us know the easy method of making hotel style dal tadka.
Ingredients to make Dal Tadka
- Arhar dal – 1 cup
- Water – 3 cups or as required
- Onion – 1 finely chopped
- Tomato – 2 finely chopped
- Green chilli – 1-2
- Ginger – 1 tsp grated
- Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
- Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
- Coriander powder – 1 tsp
- Salt – as per taste
- Ghee – 2 tbsp
- Cumin – 1/2 tsp
- Garlic – 5-6 cloves finely chopped
- Dry red chilli – 1-2
- Asafoetida – 1 pinch
- Coriander – to garnish
Method to make Dal Tadka
Right way to cook lentils
First of all, wash the pigeon peas thoroughly and soak them for 15-20 minutes. Now put the lentils in a pressure cooker and add water, turmeric and some salt to it. Cook the dal on medium flame until it becomes soft. After the pressure of the cooker is released, beat the dal well, so that its texture becomes soft and uniform.
Now heat some ghee or oil in a pan. Add finely chopped onion to it and fry until it turns golden. After this add ginger, green chilli and tomato. Cook until tomatoes become soft. Now add coriander powder and red chilli powder and fry the spices well. Mix the prepared spices in the cooked lentils and boil for a few minutes, adding water as required.
Special tadka will give taste like hotel
The real taste of Dal Tadka comes from its tempering. For this, heat ghee in a small tadka pan. Add cumin seeds and a pinch of asafoetida in it. When the cumin starts crackling, add finely chopped garlic and fry until it becomes light golden. Now add dry red chilli and turn off the gas. If you want, you can also add some red chili powder, but avoid burning it.
Immediately pour the prepared tadka over the hot dal. Sprinkle green coriander on top and mix gently. This will give the dal a wonderful aroma of ghee, garlic and spices.
Keep these things in mind
To make hotel-like dal, it is important to cook the dal properly and add the tadka at the right time. If the dal is too thick, add some hot water. To enhance the taste, you can use some ghee or lemon juice at the end. However, check the taste before adding lemon juice. Serve hot dal tadka with rice, roti or naan and enjoy it with the family.