Chana dal tarka

Thanks Sunil for this tasty daal recipe!

Ingredients:

Chana dal- 1 measuring cup or 140 gms -soak dal in warm water for 1 hour,
Turmeric pwd- 1 tsp- divided,
Salt to taste,
Mustard oil- 1 and 1/2 tbsp,
Panchforan-1/2 tsp,
Onion- 3 medium size( finely chopped),
Lemon juice-1/2 tsp,
Tomato- 1( chopped),
Coriander pwd- 1 tsp,
Red chilli pwd- 3/4 tsp,
Ginger-1/2 tsp ( shredded or paste),
Garlic paste-1/2 tsp,
Yogurt- 2 tsp,
Green chilli- 2 to 3 chopped,
Garam masala- 1/4 tsp,

Water -1/2 glass and water for boiling the dal.

Note: Dal tarka is cooked in low heat, so use the small burner for cooking.

Method:
Soak the dal in  warm water for 1 hour - microwave 1 cup of water for 1 minute to heat water.
 

Place your cooker on the small burner on high heat and add the daal and double the amount of water.
Add 1/2 tsp of haldi or turmeric pwd and salt according to your taste.
Mix and close the lid.

Let the dal cook in the cooker on high heat and allow it to give out 5 whisles.
Remove the cooker from heat and leave it to cool on its own.

Put a non stick kadhai on heat in the small burner.
Lower the heat once the oil is heated.
Add the panchforan.

Let the seeds crackle,and then add the chopped onions.

Stir and put a lid on.

Keep stirring in between.
When slightly light add the lemon juice and cover for 5 minutes.

Keep stirring in between.
Add coriander pwd,red chilli pwd and turmeric pwd.

Mix and cover again for 5 minutes.

Stir in between.
Add ginger and garlic paste.

Stir and mix and again cover for 5 minutes.

Keep stirring the masala so that it is evenly browned and does not stick to the bottom.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cover again to soften it.

Remove the lid once the tomatoes are soft and mushy.

Keep stirring till the tomatoes are fully cooked and well incorporated and leave sides.
Add 2 tsp of yogurt.

Mix and cover again for few minutes till the yogurt fully combines with the masala mixture.

Keep stirring and mixing till the masala mixture leave sides.

Add the chopped green chili.

Mix and cover for a minute.
The chillies will soften and then add the garam masala pwd.

Mix and cover for a minute. 

Add the cooked dal.

With the wooden spatulla mix the dal and the spice mix.

Once the dal is evenly mixed,add 1/2 glass of warm water.

Mix and adjust seasoning.

Cover for few minutes to let the dal simmer in the tarka.
Close gas and sprinkle chopped coriander leaves ( optional).

This is a very delicious and tasty dal cooked in low heat.
It is not very hot too!
 Dal Tarka goes very well with hot rotis.
You do not require a curry for this meal.
Makes for 4 to 5 people.