Best 4 Tarka Dhal Recipes

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Tarka dhal is a simple yet flavorful Indian dish made with lentils, spices, and vegetables. It is a staple in many Indian households and is often served with rice or roti. This versatile dish can be made with a variety of lentils, including red lentils, yellow lentils, and black lentils. The spices used in tarka dhal typically include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. Vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and garlic are also commonly added. This article provides three delicious recipes for tarka dhal: a basic tarka dhal, a Punjabi-style tarka dhal, and a South Indian-style tarka dhal. Each recipe offers its own unique flavors and variations, allowing you to explore the diverse culinary traditions of India.

Let's cook with our recipes!

A FANTASTIC TARKA DHAL RECIPE



A Fantastic Tarka Dhal Recipe image

Provided by Dan Toombs

Categories     Side dish

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 10

250g Massoor dhal - rinsed with water
3 tablespoon ghee (or more) see above.
10 fresh curry leaves (optional)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 x cinnamon stick
1 onion - finely chopped
4 garlic cloves finely chopped
2 tbsp garam masala
½ tsp turmeric
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Pour about 400ml of water over your lentils in a sauces pan and simmer over medium high heat until tender. Remove any foam that forms on the top. Cooking the lentils should take about 25 minutes.
  • While your lentils are cooking, melt the ghee in a frying pan and add the curry leaves, cumin seeds and cinnamon stick.
  • Stir in the chopped onion and fry for about 5 minutes until browned.
  • Add the chopped garlic, garam masala and turmeric and stir it into the hot ghee..
  • Pour the most of the ghee mixture (the tarka) over the lentils and stir it all in. Leave some to garnish.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with the remaining tarka.

TARKA DHAL



Tarka dhal image

Make a simple and healthy storecupboard supper like this easy dhal when you're cooking on a budget. To keep it vegan, use vegetable oil rather than ghee

Provided by Simon Richards

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Supper

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 8

200g red lentils
2 tbsp ghee, or vegetable oil if you're vegan
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
¼ tsp turmeric
½ tsp garam masala
coriander, to serve
1 small tomato, chopped

Steps:

  • Rinse the lentils several times until the water runs clear, then tip into a saucepan with 1 litre water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 mins, skimming the froth from the top. Cover with a lid and cook for a further 40 mins, stirring occasionally, until it's a thick, soupy consistency.
  • While the lentils are cooking, heat the ghee or oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, then fry the onion and garlic until the onion is softened, so around 8 mins. Add the turmeric and garam masala, then cook for a further minute. Set aside.
  • Tip the lentils into bowls and spoon half the onion mixture on top. Top with the coriander and tomato to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 473 calories, Fat 12 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 59 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 8 grams fiber, Protein 26 grams protein, Sodium 0.4 milligram of sodium

TARKA DAL



Tarka Dal image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

9 ounces chana dal (dried yellow split peas), rinsed until the water runs clear
1 3/4 pints water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 small onion, chopped
3 to 4 whole green chiles, pricked with a knife
1 (3/4-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into thin strips
3 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
3 tomatoes, chopped
3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
3/4 teaspoon garam masala
1 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Handful chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Steps:

  • Put the lentils and water into a pan, stir well and bring to the boil. Skim off any froth that forms on the surface of the water with a spoon. Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are just tender, adding more water as necessary.
  • When the lentils have cooked through, remove the pan from the heat, and use a whisk to break down the lentils. Set the mixture aside to thicken and cool.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, and fry for 20 to 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the onion, chiles, and ginger, and fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Blend the garlic and tomatoes to a puree in a food processor. Add the puree to the pan, and stir well to combine. Add the turmeric, garam masala, coriander, and 3 1/2 ounces of water to the pan, and stir well to combine. Season the mixture with salt, to taste, and simmer over a medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the oil from the sauce has risen to the surface of the sauce.
  • Add the cooked lentils to the sauce, and stir well, adding more water as necessary, to loosen the mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, and season, to taste, with salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the chopped cilantro just before serving.

TARKA DAL



Tarka Dal image

A recipe given to me by a workmate. A good vegetarian dish. The lentils need to soak for 30 minutes prior to cooking- so soak them and then move on with recipe preparation (If you dont have ghee- use some more vege oil in preference to butter)

Provided by Jubes

Categories     Grains

Time 1h30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups channa split lentils or 2 cups yellow split peas
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons brown mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seed
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ginger, finely grated
10 fresh curry leaves
2 onions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
1/4 cup raw cashews, finely ground (cashew meal)
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 cup vegetable stock
45 g ghee
1/2 cup pouring cream
1 tablespoon chopped coriander (as garnish)

Steps:

  • Rinse lentils in a strainer using cold water. Pick-over and discard any bad looking lentils. Then place them in a bowl and cover with cold water to soak for half an hour.Drain in the strainer and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large frypan over a medium heat. Add half the mustard seeds and half the cumin seeds. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes until they start popping.
  • Add the garlic, ginger, curry leaves and half the onion. Stir until soft- about 8 minutes.
  • Add the tomato, cashews, turmeric, garam marsala, ground chilli, ground coriander and the vegetable stock. Stir occasionally until thick- roughly 5 minutes.
  • Add lentils and enough water to cover the lentils (about 1.5 litres). Bring to the boil and then reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally until the lentils are cooked through and tender - about 1/2 hour.
  • In a seperate pan- heat the ghee and add the remaining spices. Stir for a couple of minutes, until fragrant. Add the remaining onion and stir until the onion is golden.
  • Combine the onion mix with the lentil mix.
  • Add the cream bring to the boil.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • To serve sprinkle chopped coriander over the top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 525.5, Fat 39.4, SaturatedFat 15.5, Cholesterol 62, Sodium 32.6, Carbohydrate 34.7, Fiber 10.7, Sugar 6.4, Protein 12.9

Tips:

  • Choose the right lentils: For a creamy texture, use red lentils. For a more rustic texture, use brown or green lentils.
  • Soak the lentils: Soaking the lentils for at least 30 minutes will help them cook more evenly and quickly.
  • Use a variety of spices: The spices used in a tarka dhal can vary depending on your personal preference. Common spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala.
  • Don't overcook the lentils: Lentils should be cooked until they are tender, but not mushy. Overcooked lentils will lose their shape and become bland.
  • Season to taste: Be sure to taste the tarka dhal before serving and adjust the seasonings accordingly.

Conclusion:

Tarka dhal is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover lentils. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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