Indian Style Dal

This dish is a sneaky way of feeding more veggies to your kids as well any fussy grownups in the house. Simply add the veggies and then cook and mash them into the Dal, and they’ll slurp it up without even noticing or realizing the difference in taste or texture. It’s a win-win situation all around. The dal is so flavorful that no one would even know @sarchakra

PREP TIME: 10 mins

COOK TIME: 30 mins

YIELDS: Serves 4

Ingredients

Tuvar Dal 1 cup
Oil 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Cumin seeds 2 tsp
Turmeric 2 tsp
Spinach 1 cup, chopped
Cauliflower 2 cups, cut into florets
Cumin powder 2 tsp
Coriander powder 1 tbsp
Red chili powder 2 tsp
Garam masala powder 2 tsp
Dry fenugreek leaves 2 tsp, crushed

For the Tadka

Ghee 2 tbsp
Kashmiri chili powder 1 tbsp
Green chilies 2- cut in half
Red chilies 1-2, cut into pieces
Asafetida a pinch
Curry leaves a few
Cumin seeds 1 tbsp

Method

For the Dal

Rinse the Dal and keep aside.
In the pressure cooker heat oil. Add cumin seeds. Let it splutter. Then add the cauliflower florets. Cook for a few minutes till golden.
Add the rinsed Dal and 3 cups of water. Season with salt, turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and garam masala powder.
Add the chopped spinach and dry fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi).
Pressure cook the dal for 2 whistles till done. Use a masher to gently smash the dal till smooth.

For the Tadka

In a small pan heat ghee. Add curry leaves. Cook for a few seconds.
Add in asafetida, cumin seeds, dry red chilies and spilt green chilies. Cook for a few seconds till aromatic. Turn the heat off.
Add the Kashmiri chili powder to the ghee. Stir.
Pour the Tadka over the cooked Dal.
Serve Indian Style Dal with rice or roti.

Notes

Use a pressure cooker, Instant pot or Ninja to cook the dal to dramatically reduce the cooking time. Alternatively this can also be done in a slow cooker. Simply put everything in the slow cooker and do the tadka separately in a small pan to mix in.

Any mix of vegetables like carrots, beans, broccoli you have in hand can be used.

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