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Urad Dal Tadka

Urad Dal Tadka

Tadka Urad Dal

Tadka Urad Dal was a favored lentil dish in my family while I was growing up. Dal is a staple dish in Indian meals and, for most Indian vegetarians, a frequent source of protein. This delicious, nourishing dish can accompany any number of different meals.
4.44 from 16 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup urad dal washed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 Tbsp ginger finely chopped
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp mango powder amchoor

Seasoning

  • 3 Tbsp ghee clarified butter
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds jeera
  • 1/8 tsp asafetida hing
  • 1 green chili sliced
  • 1 Tbsp ginger thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper adjust to taste
  • 4 pieces lemon for garnishing

Instructions
 

  • Wash and soak urad dal for at least 20 minutes. Dal will be double in volume after soaking. Drain the water.
  • Put dal with 2 cups water into a pressure cooker and add salt, turmeric, and ginger. Close the cover and cook on medium high heat.
  • When the pressure cooker starts to steam, turn the heat down to low and cook for five minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and wait until all the steam has escaped before opening the pressure cooker. Dal should be soft. If needed add more water, dal should be not very mushy you should be able to see the grains. You should be able to scoop the dal with roti. Dal will thicken as it sits after cooking. So leave it more liquid than you want it to be.
  • Add garam masala, and mango powder mix it well.

Seasoning

  • Heat ghee in a small saucepan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the ghee; if it cracks immediately, the oil is ready. Add the cumin seeds. When they begin to crack, add the asafetida, ginger, and green chilies. Stir for a few seconds. Add red chili powder and 1 tablespoon of water to prevent the spices from burning. Pour spiced chaunk over hot dal, before serving.

Notes

Tadka urad dal is ready serve with roti or paratha, or with plain rice.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Urad Dal Tadka: A Tempting Tempered Lentil Dish

Introduction to Urad Dal Tadka

Urad Dal Tadka, also known as Urad Dal Ka Tadka or Black Urad Dal Tadka, is a flavorful and comforting lentil dish that hails from North India. This urad dal tadka recipe features split black gram lentils cooked to perfection and tempered with aromatic spices, creating a dish that’s gluten free, healthy, hearty and satisfying. Whether served with steamed rice, roti, or naan bread, urad dal tadka is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more of its irresistible flavors.

Step 1: Preparing Urad Dal

Start by rinsing the urad dal under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any dirt or debris from the lentils and ensures they cook evenly. Then, soak the urad dal in water for at least 30 minutes to soften them and reduce the cooking time. Once soaked, drain the dal and set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step 2: Cooking Urad Dal

In a pressure cooker or large pot, combine the soaked urad dal with fresh water and a pinch of salt. Cook the dal until it is soft and tender, ensuring it retains its shape but is easily mashable. If using a pressure cooker, this process may take around 10-15 minutes, while stovetop cooking may take longer. Once cooked, set the dal aside while you prepare the tempering.

Step 3: Tempering Spices

In a separate pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and dried red chilies to the hot oil, allowing them to sizzle and release their aroma. The tempering of spices adds depth and flavor to the urad dal tadka, enhancing its overall taste profile.

Step 4: Adding Aromatics

Add ginger to the pan, sautéing until fragrant. These aromatic ingredients add a subtle yet flavorful touch to the dish, elevating its taste and aroma. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.

Step 5: Incorporating Tomatoes (Optional)

For added flavor and tanginess, you can incorporate chopped tomatoes into the tempering mixture. Cook the tomatoes until they soften and break down, forming a luscious sauce that coats the dal. This step is optional but adds an extra dimension of flavor to the urad dal tadka.

Step 6: Combining Dal and Tempering

Once the tempering mixture is well-cooked and fragrant, transfer the cooked urad dal into the pan, stirring gently to combine with the spices and aromatics. Allow the dal to simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly. Adjust the consistency of the dal by adding more water if necessary.

Step 7: Garnishing and Serving

Before serving, garnish the urad dal tadka with freshly chopped cilantro leaves for a burst of freshness and color. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for a tangy kick. Serve the dal hot alongside steamed rice, roti, or naan bread for a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Tips for Perfect Urad Dal Tadka

  • Soak Urad Dal: Soaking the urad dal before cooking helps reduce the cooking time and ensures that the lentils cook evenly and become tender.
  • Control Spice Level: Adjust the amount of dried red chilies and red chili powder according to your spice tolerance. For a milder dal, reduce the amount of spice used or remove the seeds from the dried red chilies.
  • Enhance Flavor with Ghee: For an extra layer of richness and flavor, consider using ghee (clarified butter) instead of oil for tempering the spices. Ghee adds a distinctive nutty flavor and aroma to the dish.

Variations of Urad Dal Tadka

  • Urad Chana Dal Tadka: Combine black urad dal with chana dal (split chickpeas) for a nutritious and flavorful variation of the dish. The combination of lentils adds texture and depth to the dal tadka.
  • Creamy Urad Dal Tadka: For a creamy texture, blend a portion of the cooked urad dal before adding it back to the tempering mixture. This creates a velvety sauce that coats the lentils, resulting in a luxurious and indulgent dal tadka.

Benefits of Urad Dal Tadka

  • Rich in Protein: Urad dal is a excellent source of plant-based protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
  • High in Fiber: Urad dal is also high in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
  • Packed with Nutrients: Urad dal is rich in essential nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and potassium, supporting overall health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make urad dal tadka without soaking the lentils?

  • While soaking the lentils helps reduce the cooking time, you can still cook urad dal tadka without soaking, although it may take longer for the lentils to become tender.

Can I make urad dal tadka ahead of time?

  • Yes, urad dal tadka tastes even better when allowed to sit for a few hours or overnight, allowing the flavors to meld together. Reheat it gently before serving.

Is urad dal tadka vegan-friendly?

  • Yes, urad dal tadka is inherently vegan as it contains no animal products. It’s a perfect option for those following a vegan or plant-based diet.

Explore more delicious Indian recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen 

If you’re looking to explore more Indian recipes, appetizers, beverages, and desserts, be sure to check out the following links on Manjula’s Kitchen. Here are some links to recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen official website: Vegetable Pakoras, Kaju Katli (Cashew Burfi), Baingan Bharta (Roasted Eggplant), Matar (Green Peas) Paneer, Besan Ladoo.


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33 thoughts on “Urad Dal Tadka

  1. this was so tasty! I used to use the same ingrediends but in different order and pot, and oh dear what a difference your recipe makes! so tasty, I will add the spices in the order you said from now on. Thank you!

  2. 5 stars
    This was so delicious, just like my grandmother used to make. Thank you for sharing your family recipe. Now I know how to make it, I will enjoy it very much. Blessings to you and your family. Trisha

  3. Hi Manjula, I love your website. Regarding urad dal you are adding two cups water to one cup of dal and then cook in the pressure cooker for 5 minutes . In my cooking I had to add 4cups and cook for more than 8 minutes in the pressure cooker. Are there different varieties of washed urad or differences in pressure cookers. My cooker is presto.
    Thanks, and keep up with inspiring recipes.

  4. 4 stars
    Excellent recipe to enhance it can try 2 things Urad dhuli dal ( yellow Punjabi )
    We do 2 things in our house growing up
    1) add 2 oz Channa dal
    2) add soaked daal to dry pressure cooker
    For few minutes stir till most daal grains have been rotated thru dry heat
    It helps the final consistency
    Also urad spoils very quickly in refrigerator be careful. You are better off undercooking a portion and freezing instead then take out to defrost and add tadka. Try it !

  5. 5 stars
    This is the best dal I have ever eaten! I’ve been making it regularly since I discovered your YouTube channel about a year ago. Thank you for this delicious recipe.

  6. 5 stars
    Thank you for your lovely recipes Manjula. Could you please advise how long I can leave cooked Dahl for in the fridge. I work in the week so make as many dishes as I can at the weekend to eat during the week. Do you have any advice?

  7. 5 stars
    This recipe is delicious! Thanks for sharing. I made it in my instant pot pressure cooker. I have had some urad dal in my cupboard for ages and wasn’t quite sure what to do with this type of lentil.

  8. 5 stars
    I made Tadka Urad Dal for dinner last night. It was so good, I couldn’t wait for dinner time today so I could eat what was leftover. Thank you Manjula for the videos of your recipes. It really helps when I am making a new dish to see how it should be done.

  9. 4 stars
    Hello Manjula, I have a Vinod pressure cooker, and I only cooked the urad dal for 1 whistle, which was about 12 minutes. The dal was not as soft as you showed. Do you know how many whistles it should take? Thank you and I learn so much from your videos.

  10. Love your recipes, but not everyone has a pressure cooker (like me!). Perhaps you could give the cooking times for non-pressure cooker cooks! Thanks.

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