Indian Lentil Fry / Daal Fry

Simple lentil fry / Daal Fry is prepared with pigeon pea lentils cooked along with tomatoes and other spices-herbs. This Daal is so flavorful, it can be best had with steamed rice or with chapatti (Indian whole wheat bread).

Step 1: Ingredients

1)Toor Dal/ Pigeon Peas / Lenthil - 1/3 cup

2) Chopped Onion - 1 Medium

3) Chopped Tomato - 1 Medium

4) Crushed Garlic and Ginger - 1 Tbsp

5) Asafoetida - a pinch

6) Ground Turmeric (Turmeric powder) - 1/4 Tsp

7) Curry Leaves and Cilantro - few

8) Oil / Butter / Ghee - 2 Tbsp

9) Mustard Seeds - 1/2 Tsp

10) Cumin seeds - 1/2 Tsp

11) Green Chilli - as per taste (I used 1 chilli)

12) Bengal gram/ Channa Dal - 1 Tsp

13) Lemon juice - 1 Tsp

Step 2: Cooking the Daal

1) Wash and soak the lentil/daal in water for about 30 minutes.

2) Then add turmeric, asafoetida, water (2 - 2.5 Cups)

3) Then pressure cook the daal till is completely mashed or use the potato masher to mash it smooth.

Step 3: Frying the Daal

1) Place a pan on medium heat and add butter/oil/clarified butter.

2) Then add mustard, cumin seeds, channa dal, green chili, curry leaves and saute for a minute or two (till mustard cracks )

3) Now add the onions, ginger garlic paste, salt, tomato and saute till the onion and tomatoes are cooked.

4) Then add the cooked lentil and mix well.

5) Finally, add the lemon juice, chopped cilantro and switch off the heat.

Daal fry is now ready ! This can be served with Rice or Roti(Indian bread)