Banarasi Dal

Banarasi Dal

Banarasi Dal

Veg

Simple arhar or chana dal tempered with ghee, hing, and cumin — the everyday lentil base of the Banarasi thali, ladled generously over rice.

Cuisines

Banarasi

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Total: 60 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Toor Dal 1/2 cup Toor Dal
chana dal 1/4 cup Chana dal
ghee 1 tablespoon Ghee
Cumin 1 teaspoon Cumin , seeds
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
asafoetida 1 pinch Asafoetida
Onion 1 medium Onion , finely chopped
Tomato 1 medium Tomato , finely chopped
ginger-garlic paste 1 teaspoon Ginger-garlic paste
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
red chili powder 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
coriander powder 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
garam masala 1 teaspoon Garam masala
lemon juice 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
salt Salt , to taste
water 2 cups Water
Cilantro 2 tablespoons Cilantro , chopped

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash and soak the toor dal and chana dal together in water for 30 minutes.
  2. 2 Drain the water and add the dals to a pressure cooker with 2 cups of fresh water and a pinch of turmeric powder.
  3. 3 Pressure cook the dals for 3-4 whistles until they are soft and mushy.
  4. 4 In a separate pan, heat ghee over medium heat.
  5. 5 Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
  6. 6 Add a pinch of asafoetida, then add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
  7. 7 Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute.
  8. 8 Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they are soft and the oil starts to separate.
  9. 9 Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well.
  10. 10 Add the cooked dal to the pan and mix thoroughly. Adjust the consistency with water if needed.
  11. 11 Simmer the dal for 10 minutes on low heat.
  12. 12 Add garam masala and lemon juice. Stir well.
  13. 13 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

Tips

For a smoky flavor, you can add a tadka (tempering) of ghee and red chilies just before serving.