Masoor Dal Recipe | Red Lentils Recipe
Indian style red lentil dish prepared with basic spices and seasoning. It can be served with plain rice or any Indian breads like roti, paratha or naan. Instructions for Instant pot, stove top or regular pressure cooker.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips.
© Swasthi's Recipes - www.indianhealthyrecipes.com
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- ½ cup masoor dal (red lentils)
- 2 tablespoons moong dal (optional)
- 2 medium tomatoes deseeded & chopped (½ cup)
- 1 green chili (optional)
- 1¼ to 1½ cup water (for 1¾ cups for IP)
Tempering
- 1 tablespoon ghee or oil or butter
- 1 red chili broken
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ¼ teaspoon mustard seeds (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
- salt as needed
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
optional
- 1 pinch garam masala (or ⅛ tsp) (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) or 2 tbsp coriander leaves
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice for serving
How to make the recipe
Stovetop masoor dal
- Add masoor dal & moong dal (optional) to a pot or pressure cooker. Wash it a few times until the water runs clear.
- Next add chopped tomatoes, water and green chili.
- Pressure cook for 1 to 2 whistles on a medium heat. If cooking in a pot, cook on a medium heat until soft adding more water if needed.
- Once the pressure releases, open the cooker.
- Mash the dal to suit your liking. You can make it smooth or keep it grainy. If needed you can pour 2 to 3 tbsp water to bring it to a consistency.
Tempering
- Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a small pan.
- Add mustard, cumin, red chilies and garlic.
- Saute until the garlic turns slightly golden.
- Turn off the heat and add hing, chili powder and turmeric. You can also add in garam masala if using.
- Quickly pour this off to the dal. Time to add salt and kasuri methi if using.
- Mix and simmer for 2 mins. If using coriander leaves add them now.
- Squeeze in some lemon before serving. Masoor dal is ready to serve with roti or rice.
Instant pot masoor dal
- Press saute button on the Instant pot and pour oil to the inner pot.
- Add mustard, cumin, broken red chilies and garlic.
- When they splutter add tomatoes along with salt, chilli powder, hing, garam masala (optional) and turmeric.
- Saute for 1 min. Next add dal, green chilli and pour water.
- Stir well and deglaze to release any bits of food stuck. Secure the Instant pot with lid. Set the steam release handle to sealing.
- Optional :You can cook basmati rice together by placing the rice bowl on a long legged trivet.
- Press pressure cook button and set the timer for 7 mins.
- Wait for the pressure to release naturally. When the pin drops, open the IP.
- Stir well and add more salt & hot water if needed. Cook on saute mode to bring to consistency if needed.
- Squeeze lemon juice and serve masoor dal with rice.
NUTRITION (estimation only)
Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 793mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1240IU | Vitamin C: 54.8mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 4.3mg