5 Simple And Tasty Toor Dal Recipes



India is blessed with different cultures, festivals, and so much more, among which food is the most obvious one. The quintessential love for good food has been bringing people together for many years, and when we think of good food, one of our most loved preparations that comes to mind is the popular Dal. Most households prepare different kinds of dal starting from Dal Makhani, Panchratna Dal to various Toor dal recipes or Arhar dal recipes. This flavorsome food item is a versatile staple in our daily diet. 

Toor dal, also known as Arhar dal, is the most commonly used dal in every Indian household. This queen of dals is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. Toor dal or Arhar dal is also known for its folic acid and magnesium content. It is a smart choice to include Toor dal recipes in your diet for a healthy, long life.

Let’s take a lot at these 5 simple and easy tool dal recipes:

Dal Tadka

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp masoor dal, rinsed
• ½ cup toor dal, rinsed    
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp oil 
• 1½ cup water
• 2 tbsp ghee
• ½ tsp cumin
• 1 bay leaf 
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 2 dried red chilis
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1-inch of ginger, crushed
• 1 chili, slit
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tomato (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp coriander (finely chopped)
• ¼ tsp garam masala

For Tadka

• 1 tsp ghee
• ½ tsp cumin
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 1 dried red chili
• ¼ tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander (finely chopped)

Procedure

• In a pressure cooker add toor dal,  masoor dal, turmeric, salt, oil, and water.
• Pressure cook to 5 whistles or until the dal is cooked well.
• Take a wok and heat 2 tbsp of ghee. Now add cumin, bay leaf, a pinch of hing, dried red chili, garlic, ginger, chili, and saute till they start to splutter.
• Add the onion and saute until it turns golden brown.
• On a low flame, add turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt.
• Add the tomato and saute it until it turns soft and mushy. Now add the cooked dal and adjust the consistency according to preference.
• Simmer for 5 minutes or until flavors are well combined.
• Add coriander, garam masala, and the tadka to the dal. 
• Mix well and enjoy with roti or rice.

Dal Fry

Ingredients

• ¾ cup toor dal
• 1 tbsp ghee 
• 1tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 dried red chili
• Few curry leaves
• Pinch of hing
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 green chili
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ red chili powder
• ½ coriander powder
• 1 tomato
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• Dry fenugreek leaves
• Coriander (finely chopped)

Procedure

• In a pressure cooker add toor dal and 3 cups of water. Let it cook for 5 whistles.
• In a pan, heat ghee and add mustard seeds, cumin, red chili, curry leaves, and a pinch of hing. Once they begin to splutter, turn off the heat. 
• Add onion, ginger-garlic paste, and green chili. Sauté well.
• Next add turmeric powder, chili powder, coriander powder, and tomato. Saute till it turns soft and mushy. 
• Add the cooked dal and salt. Mix well.
• Simmer the dal for 5 minutes or till it turns smooth and absorbs the flavor.
• Add garam masala, coriander, and crushed kasoori methi. Stir well. 
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Toor Dal Kheer

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup toor dal (soaked for an hour)
• 3 tbsp jaggery
• 3 tbsp milk powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cardamom
• ½ tbsp ghee
• 5-6 cashews
• 4-5 almonds
• 5-6 raisins 

Procedure

• Grind the soaked dal and cardamom into a fine paste.
• Take a pan, add ground dal, ghee, and mix well.
• Add milk, milk powder, and jaggery. Stir well on low flame.
• In another pan, add ghee and fry the cashew, almond, and raisins.
• Add the fried nuts to the kheer.
• Garnish it with a few more cashews.
• Serve and enjoy!

Palak Dal

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp oil 
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 medium onion
• 1 tsp crushed ginger
• 3 medium garlic cloves 
• 2 green chilis 
• 2 serrano peppers
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ¼ tsp red chili powder 
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• A pinch of asafoetida 
• ⅓ cup chopped tomatoes
• ½ cup toor dal 
• 1½ cups water
• 1½  cups finely chopped spinach 
• Salt as required

Procedure

• In a cooker add oil. Once hot add cumin seeds and chopped onions. Sauté till translucent.
• Add crushed ginger, garlic, green chilis, and chopped tomatoes. Sauté till they become pulpy.
• Now add a pinch of asafoetida, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Mix well.
• Add toor dal and water. Cook up to 5 whistles.
• Now add the chopped spinach and garam masala powder. Stir and mix well.
• Cook on low heat for 6-7 minutes.
• Serve hot with steamed rice, jeera rice, roti, or bread.

Toor Dal Paratha

Ingredients 

• ½ cup toor dal (washed and cooked)
• Salt to taste
• 1 onion
• 2 green chilis
• 4-5 cloves of garlic 
• Coriander leaves, chopped 
• ¼ cumin seeds 
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Wheat flour as required
• Oil to cook

Procedure

• Take the cooked toor dal and add chopped onion, chilis, garlic, cumin seeds, garam masala, and coriander leaves. 
• Add wheat flour to the above mixture, and mix well with water to form the dough. 
• Cover and let it sit for 10 minutes. 
• Take the dough and make and roll it to make it in the desired shape of a paratha. 
• Cook the paratha on both sides by applying ghee or oil.
• Enjoy them with pickle, chutney, or curd.

It’s advisable to include dal recipes in your everyday diet. Toor dal recipes bond well with almost all ingredients & vegetables to create a unique, delicious, and healthy dish. Himalayan Natives 100% natural, GMO-free, and pesticide-free lentils are perfect for starting a healthy life. Along with healthy food and a proper diet, it is also important to maintain a proper exercise schedule for an overall healthy lifestyle.