Have you ever tried dal fry in any dhaba or restaurant ? Well, I have many times, and let me tell you it's the best way to eat it, if you're looking for taste in your dal. The best dal fry I've eaten is from a dhaba in Amritsar, but one can't travel to Amritsar everytime they crave dal, can they? So here's a recipe of the perfect dhaba style dal fry to fulfil that craving.
Dal fry is a delicacy in North India. Unlike the name suggests, dal fry isn't just fried lentils. The name comes from the second tadka, that is added on top of the dal in the serving bowl itself, right before it is eaten. The second tadka is simple hot ghee or oil, with some sliced garlic, whole chillies and chilli powder. This tadka poured over the dal is the defining feature of a dal fry. This gives dal fry the added flavour and spice of the tadka which makes it so delicious and decadent.
Quick and Easy Moong dal fry
Dal fry, according to me, is the best way to make your dal taste the best. With the quick tadka in the end that takes about 30 seconds to prepare, your dal can go from good to amazing and leave a smile on the face of anyone who has it.
Benefits of having nutrient rich moong dal fry: reasons that will make you eat moong dal daily!
Green Moong Dal is rich in complex carbohydrates & fibre. Complex carbohydrates balance the quick rise of sugar level after the meals, stabilising the energy level, whereas fibre supports digestion. People with high sugar levels must include it in their diet.
How to make Dhaba Style Moong Dal Fry?
1) Start by cooking your dal. For this add water in a pani with salt and turmeric and let it come to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the dal in and let it cook on low heat for 15 minutes, covered partially. After 15 minutes stir the dal to check if it is cooked, cover it and keep it aside. In a separate kadai, start to prepare your tadka
2) Add ghee and oil to the Meyer Kadai and let it heat. To the hot ghee, add cumin seeds and let them sputter. Next, add chopped garlic and ginger and let them cook. Then add some chopped onions, followed by red chilli and turmeric powder and season to taste with salt.
3) Saute for a bit and then add a splash of water to deglaze the pan. Mix the tadka with the dal and set it aside in a bowl.
4) Prepare the second tadka in a small stainless steel pot. Add ghee and oil to the pot on high heat. Put in some sliced garlic, kashmiri chilli and red chilli powder.
5) Mix the ghee and spices together and pour the hot tadka over the dal, Serve it as it without mixing.
Expert Tips
1) Make sure to taste and check the consistency of the dal after cooking it in the water.
2) Make sure to be cautious while pouring the second tadka as it sputters a lot.
3) Keep in mind to prepare the tadka just when you’re about to serve.
Have you ever tried dal fry in any dhaba or restaurant ? Well, I have many times, and let me tell you it's the best way to eat it, if you're looking for taste in your dal. The best dal fry I've eaten is from a dhaba in Amritsar, but one can't travel to Amritsar everytime they crave dal, can they? So here's a recipe of the perfect dhaba style dal fry to fulfil that craving.
Start by cooking your dal, for this, add water to the pan with salt and turmeric and let it come to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the dal in and let it cook on low heat for 15 minutes, covered partially.
After 15 minutes stir the dal to check the cook, cover it and keep it aside. In a separate pan, start to prepare your tadka.
Add ghee and oil to the pan and let it heat. To the hot ghee add cumin seeds and let them sputter. Next add chopped garlic and ginger and let them cook.
Next to the pan, add some chopped onions, followed by red chilli and turmeric powder and season to taste with salt. Saute for a bit and then add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.
MIx the tadka with the dal and set it aside in a bowl. Prepare the second tadka in a small stainless steel pot. Add ghee and oil to the pot on high heat. Put in some sliced garlic, kashmiri chilli and red chilli powder.
Mix the ghee and spices together and pour the hot tadka over the dal, Serve it as it without mixing.
Recipe Video
Recipe Note
The traditional dal fry is prepared with dal makhani or kaali dal. This version with the moong dal is a comparatively light recipe. You can use the same tadka method with any other kind of dal that you prepare.
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