Kutchi Dal

Kutchi Dal

Kutchi Dal

Veg

A thin, slightly sweet-and-sour toor dal tempered with ghee, mustard seeds, asafoetida, dried red chillies, and curry leaves — finished with a pinch of jaggery and a squeeze of lemon. The Kutchi dal is lighter and less sweet than the standard Gujarati dal, with a more assertive mustard-and-chilli tempering that reflects the region's proximity to Rajasthani influences.

Cuisines

Kutchi

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Build a full meal around Kutchi Dal

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Total: 45 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Moong Dal 1/2 cup Moong Dal , split yellow
chana dal 1/4 cup Chana dal
Onion 1 medium Onion , finely chopped
Tomato 1 medium Tomato , finely chopped
oil 2 tablespoons Oil
Cumin 1 teaspoon Cumin , seeds
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
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
ginger-garlic paste 1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste
Cilantro 1 handful Cilantro , chopped
lemon juice 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
salt 1 teaspoon Salt , to taste
water 2 cups Water

Instructions

  1. 1 Rinse the moong dal and chana dal together under running water until the water runs clear.
  2. 2 Soak the dals in water for 15 minutes, then drain.
  3. 3 Heat oil in a pressure cooker over medium heat.
  4. 4 Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
  5. 5 Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
  6. 6 Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute.
  7. 7 Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft.
  8. 8 Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Stir well.
  9. 9 Add the soaked dals and mix everything together.
  10. 10 Pour in 2 cups of water and stir well.
  11. 11 Close the pressure cooker lid and cook on medium heat for 3 whistles.
  12. 12 Allow the pressure to release naturally.
  13. 13 Open the lid, add garam masala and lemon juice, and mix well.
  14. 14 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

Tips

Serve hot with steamed rice or roti for a complete meal.