Easy & Flavourful Masoor Dal Recipe: A Vegetarian Delight In One Pot

Masoor dal, also popularly known as red lentil dal is a protein-rich recipe that is widely prepared across our country and is a staple. With its high nutrition quotient, masoor ki dal is often the main substitute for meat among vegetarian people. Common in every Indian household, masoor dal recipe is as flavourful as it is easy to prepare. Delectable and wholesome, red masoor dal tastes best when served alongside roti, naan, jeera rice or even plain steamed rice. A quick, one-pot lentil dish that can be prepared absolutely hassle-free, red masoor dal takes the minimum time to cook. With very little and basic ingredients used, and a rather simple preparation process, red lentil dal is enough to tantalise your taste buds with its unique flavours. Check out this easy masoor dal recipe for the next time you crave a good comforting ‘Ghar Ka Khana’.

Ingredients to prepare masoor ki dal

1. 75 grams masoor dal
2. 25 grams moong dal
3. 2 medium tomatoes, deseeded and chopped
4. 2 garlic cloves, chopped
5. 2 tbsp coriander leaves. Finely chopped
6. 1 green chilli
7. 1 dried chilli, broken
8. 1-2 tbsp ghee
9. ½ tsp salt
10. ¼ tsp mustard seeds
11. ½ tsp cumin seeds
12. 1 pinch hing
13. ¼ to ½ tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
14. ¼ tsp turmeric
15. ⅛ tsp garam masala
16. ½ tsp Kasuri methi
17. 1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice
18. 1 and ¼ to 1 and ½ cup water

Steps to prepare masoor dal recipe

1. Add the thoroughly washed masoor dal and the moong dal to a pot or a pressure cooker.
2. Add in the chopped tomatoes, green chillies, and water.
3. Pressure cook the ingredients in the pot for 1 to 2 whistles on medium heat. 
4. Once the pressure drops and the masoor ki dal is cooked, open the cooker. Mash the dal to reach the desired consistency. You can keep the red lentil dal smooth or coarse as per your liking. 
5. You can also add 2 to 3 tbsp of water to a consistency as you might desire. 
6. To prepare the tadka for the red masoor dal recipe, heat ghee in a small pan on medium heat.
7. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chopped garlic and dried red chillies. And saute until the garlic turns slightly golden. 
8. Turn off the heat and then add in the hing, turmeric, garam masala and chilli powder.
9. Immediately pour the tadka over the masoor ki dal. 
10. Add salt and kasuri methi, mix and simmer for 2 minutes. Taste test to check the salt level. 
11. Squeeze lemon juice and garnish with the chopped coriander leaves, and your red lentil dal is ready to be served.

Pro tip: For a variation in the masoor dal recipe, you can add carrots, methi leaves or spinach to the dal for a more nutritious meal. 

FAQs

1. Can the masoor dal recipe be stored and consumed later?
The consistency and the flavour of the masoor ki dal change with time, and the dish turns into a thicker consistency. It is suggested that you consume the dish on the same day you prepare it. If you must store the red lentil dal, make sure you do that before the tadka. Once you're ready to consume it, heat the masoor ki dal, and follow the steps post tadka to have a flavourful meal. 

2. Is masoor dal healthy to consume daily? 

Masoor Dal has a great amount of protein, and also provides minerals, vitamin B, and fibre, without a high fat content making it a healthy dish. However, the red masoor dal's fibre content can be a problem for some, and cause flatulence. We suggest consulting your nutritionist for a better informed choice.