Simple Dal with Tomatoes

Dal seems to be one of the most common dishes in India, a staple at family meals. There are many variations on the basic dal, and I think families have their own preferences for how they make dal. I have yet to learn about the many variations, but when I was in Jaipur with family, we spent an afternoon cooking with a friend of our hostel owner, and she showed us this delicious, simple dal recipe, which I have since made at home and love. 

One thing to note about making dal, is that you really need a pressure cooker for it. If you were to try making this recipe in a normal pot, it would take you exponentially more time, and I don't even know how long that would be. So hopefully you can get your hands on a pressure cooker if you're looking to make this.

Simple Dal with Tomatoes:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow lentils, rinsed three times
• 4 cups water
• 1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped
• 1 tsp red Kashmiri chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tomatoes, cubed

For the tadka (tempering)

• 4 tbsp ghee (or butter is fine if you are careful not to let it brown)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 pinch hing*
• 4 small cloves garlic, crushed and chopped

Directions:

1. Put the lentils into a medium sized pressure cooker with 4 cups of water. 
2. Add the garlic, chili powder, turmeric, 1/2 tsp salt and tomatoes
3. Fasten the lid on the pressure cooker. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 6-7 minutes, or for 3 whistles
4. Take the pot off the heat and release the steam. Once the pressure is fully released, open the pot and check the consistency. If it is too watery, cook it down a little, if it is too thick, add some water and bring the mixture back to a simmer. Turn off the heat.
5. In a small saucepan, heat the ghee with the cumin seeds, hing, and garlic over low heat until fragrant and toasted.
6. Pour the ghee mixture into the dal and immediately cover with the pressure cooker lid so the flavour incorporates into he dal
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer again and cook 2-3 minutes further.
8. Serve with rice and ideally one or two vegetable dishes (sabzi).

Enjoy!

* I'm not exactly sure what hing is, but it is delicious in dal, and is easy to find at Indian grocery stores . If you abroad. It is very potent, so just put in a pinch and adjust if necessary.