Masala Dal is a flavorful and hearty Indian dish made with lentils cooked with fragrant spices. This dish is a staple in many Indian households and is often served with rice or roti. The combination of lentils and masala spices creates a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
Masala Dal is a comforting, spiced green gram dal cooked until soft with a hint of turmeric, then simmered in a fragrant onion-and-tomato-ginger masala. Whole spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom) are bloomed in hot oil, onions are sautéed until translucent, and a mix of turmeric, chili, and coriander powders plus salt builds deep flavor. The tomato puree is boiled down, the cooked dal is stirred in and gently simmered until everything melds, then finished with a sizzling tempering of green chilies and curry leaves for a fresh, aromatic kick.
Masala Dal Recipe
Masala Dal
Masala Dal is a rich and aromatic Indian dish consisting of lentils simmered with a blend of fragrant spices.
4
servings10
minutes15
minutesIngredients
Green Gram Dhal – ½ cup
Tomato – 2 (medium size)
Onion – 1
Fresh ginger – a small piece
Red chilli powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric Powder – ¼ Teaspoon
Oil – 1 tablespoon
Cinnamon stick – a small piece
Cloves – 2
Whole cardamom – 1
Curry Leaves – Few
Green chillies – 2 (for garnishing)
Directions
- Cook the green gram dal with a pinch of turmeric powder until it’s soft.
- Finely chop the onion. Cut the tomatoes into medium-sized pieces and blend them with ginger into a fine puree.
- Heat oil in a kadai and when hot, add cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom. Fry the chopped onion until it turns transparent.
- Add turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt, then mix well.
- Stir in the tomato puree, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the cooked dal and mix thoroughly. Simmer on low heat until the flavors meld. Transfer to a separate bowl.
- Fry the slit green chilies and curry leaves in a teaspoon of oil and garnish the dal with this tempering.
Hi Kamala Maami,
Super……I tried your masala dhal and chow chow poriyal today..it was awesome…..thank you so much mummy for posting this authentic delicious and healthy recipes. May God Bless You.
Hi Prabha,
Thank you for visiting my blog snd your feed back.
Hi madam, tried your delicious cornmeal kichadi. Turned out super duper. I used polanta. Thank you for your generous sharing.
Thank you for your feed back.
I tried this today.it came out excellent.I added some lime juice at the end to get tangy taste.
Thank you kamala man.
Thank you for your kind feed back.