Ingredients and Weight:
- Toor Dal (split pigeon peas) - 1 cup
- Red Onion - 1, chopped
- Tomato - 2, chopped
- Ginger - 1 inch piece, chopped
- Garlic - 3 cloves, chopped
- Indian cooking oil or ghee (clarified butter) - 3 tablespoons
- Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
- Red chili powder or curry powder - 2-3 tablespoons (adjust according to taste preference)
- Fresh cilantro or coriander leaves - handful, chopped
- Salt - to taste
Preparation Time:
- Preparation: 20 minutes
- Cooking: 40 minutes
- Total: 1 hour
Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)
Preparation Method Steps:
- Soak the toor dal in water for 30 minutes.
- In a blender, blend the onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic until smooth.
- Heat the oil or ghee in a pot and add the blended mixture.
- Add the turmeric powder and chili powder or curry powder and stir well.
- When the mixture starts to boil, add the soaked toor dal along with enough water to cover.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes or until the dal is cooked through.
- Season with salt and add the chopped cilantro or coriander leaves.
- Simmer for another 5 minutes and then serve hot with rice or nan bread.
Nutritional Information: (Per serving)
- Calories: Approximately 250-300 depending on the amount of oil used and the size of the serving.
- Carbohydrates: From the dal and rice/bread.
- Protein: From the dal and vegetables.
- Fat: From the oil or ghee and dal.
- Fiber: From the vegetables and dal.
Dish Characteristics:
- Spicy and flavorful, with a rich Indian curry taste. The chili powder can be adjusted to suit different taste preferences.
- Accompanies rice or breads perfectly, making it a complete meal.
- A great introduction to Indian cuisine for those who enjoy spicy foods.
User Comments:
- "This dish was amazing! The flavors were so rich and complex, really enjoyed the spicy kick."
- "I added more chili powder to make it spicier, it was perfect with some white rice."
- "Great dish for an Indian-themed dinner party, everyone loved it!"
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Adjust the amount of chili powder or curry powder according to your spice tolerance.
- Soaking the toor dal helps to cook it more evenly and reduces cooking time.
- Using fresh ingredients like tomatoes and cilantro enhances the flavor greatly. If not available, dried herbs can be used as a substitute.
