Rajasthani Dal
Veg
Vegan
Everyday toor or mixed dal tempered in ghee with cumin, mustard seeds, dried red chilli, asafoetida, and a finishing of dried mango powder (amchur) for tartness — the daily dal of the Rajasthani thali, simpler and more acidic than the panchmel dal. The amchur gives the dal a distinctive dryness and tang suited to the desert climate; cooked thin enough to pour over both rice and bati. Every Rajasthani household makes this dal at least once a day; at langar events and community meals it is served in large quantities with bati.
Cuisines
Rajasthani
Malwi
Marwari
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 30 min
Total: 50 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
| 1/2 cup | yellow moong dal |
| 1/4 cup | chana dal |
| 1/4 cup | toor dal |
| 4 cups | water |
| 1 tablespoon | ghee |
| 1 teaspoon | cumin seeds |
| 1 teaspoon | mustard seeds |
| 1 pinch | asafoetida |
| 1 teaspoon | turmeric powder |
| 1 teaspoon | red chili powder |
| 1 teaspoon | coriander powder |
| 1 teaspoon | garam masala |
| 1 teaspoon | amchur (dried mango powder) |
| 1 teaspoon | salt |
| 2 tablespoons | chopped coriander leaves |
| 1 tablespoon | lemon juice |
| 1 | green chili, chopped |
| 1 | small onion, finely chopped |
| 1 | tomato, finely chopped |
| 1 inch | ginger, grated |
Instructions
- 1 Wash and soak the yellow moong dal, chana dal, and toor dal in water for 30 minutes.
- 2 Drain the soaked dals and transfer them to a pressure cooker with 4 cups of water.
- 3 Add turmeric powder and salt to the dals in the pressure cooker.
- 4 Pressure cook the dals for 3-4 whistles or until they are soft and cooked through.
- 5 In a pan, heat ghee over medium heat.
- 6 Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds to the hot ghee and let them splutter.
- 7 Add a pinch of asafoetida, chopped onion, and green chili to the pan and sauté until the onion turns golden brown.
- 8 Add grated ginger and chopped tomato to the pan and cook until the tomato turns soft.
- 9 Add red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and amchur to the pan and mix well.
- 10 Pour the cooked dal into the pan and stir to combine with the spices.
- 11 Simmer the dal for 5-10 minutes, adjusting the consistency with water if needed.
- 12 Stir in lemon juice and garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving.
Tips
For a smoky flavor, add a piece of charcoal to the dal and cover it for a few minutes before serving.