DAL FRY

Dal features almost everyday in our menu as its a good source of protein.Dal Tadka is the easiest dal to prepare whereas Dal fry needs some preparation.If you are wondering if they are different I would say 'YES'. In Dal Tadka, a tempering is done to the cooked dal where as in Dal fry,the dal is added to the fried spices and onion-tomato mixture .
Dal fry is generally prepared with toor dal or a combination of toor-chana dal or with moong dal.Though I like all the variations my personal favorite is with toor-chana dal.Dal fry tastes good especially in Dhabas and when paired with a nice paneer gravy and tandoori roti the taste lingers in your mouth even after a meal.

DAL FRY Recipe:
(Serves 3-4)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Toor dal
a handful of Chana dal(approx 1/4 cup)
1 big Onion,finely chopped
2 tomatoes,finely chopped
3/4" Ginger,finely chopped
4-5 Garlic pods,finely chopped
1 tbsp Kasuri methi
1 tsp Red chili powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Cumin powder
1/4 tsp Garam masala
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
2 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

for the tadka:
2 tsp Ghee
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1/4 tsp Red chili powder
a pinch of Hing
Method:

• Soak toor dal and chana dal for 1/2hr-1hr.Pressure cook the dals with a pinch of turmeric powder and few drops of oil for 3 whistles.
• Heat oil in a kadai and crackle cumin seeds.Add finely chopped ginger and garlic and fry well.
• Add finely chopped onions and fry until they turn slightly brown.
• Add chopped tomatoes and fry until it becomes mushy.Add kasuri methi,turmeric powder,red chili powder,coriander powder and cumin powder and fry well until the oil leaves the edges.
• Add cooked dal and enough salt and mix well.Add 1-2 cups of water to get the desired consistency of dal.
• Cover and boil for 7-8 mins.Add garam masala and cook for another minute and switch off the flame and transfer to a serving dish.
• Mean while heat ghee in a small pan and crackle cumin seeds.Add red chili powder and hing and switch off the flame and add this tempering over the dal.

Serve it with steamed Basmati rice/Pulav/Roti/Naan.You can squeeze a dash of lemon before serving.
Notes:

1. You can follow the same process with moong dal or masoor dal.
2. You can even skip chana dal in the recipe but I like the bite of chana dal in dal fry.
3. This dal tends to become thick if kept for long.So make it bit thin if you are planning to make it much before serving.
4. For a Vegan version use oil instead of ghee in tadka.