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Mixed dal

Five lentils in a spiced onion and tomato gravy

Five kinds of lentil cooked together, then simmered in a gravy of browned onion, tomato, garlic and ginger under a fragrant tempering of cumin, cloves, cinnamon, red chillies and curry leaves. It's thick, hearty and full of protein. Serve hot mixed dal with chapaties or paratha.
Total time
60 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

For the dal

For the gravy

For the tempering

For the seasoning

To garnish

Method

0/9 done
  1. Step 1: Wash 3 ⅓ oz black gram lentils (urad dal), 3 tbsp pigeon pea lentils (tuvar dal), 2 tbsp bengal gram lentils (chana dal), 3 tbsp green gram lentils (moong dal) and 3 tbsp masoor lentils and pressure cook with 4 ¼ cups water and ¾ tsp salt.

  2. Step 2: After the first whistle, turn the heat to low and cook for 7 minutes. Let the pressure drop.

    10 min
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large pan and add 1 tsp cumin seeds, ½ tsp mustard seeds, 2 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 dried red chillies, 10 curry leaves and 1 pinch asafoetida (hing).

    1 min
  4. Step 4: Add 2 onions and fry until brown.

    8 min
  5. Step 5: Add 3 tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.

    5 min
  6. Step 6: Add 2 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp ginger paste and 1 tsp chilli paste and cook for 2 minutes.

    2 min
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1 pinch ground turmeric, ½ tsp dal masala, ¾ tsp salt and 1 tbsp lemon juice and cook for 3 minutes.

    3 min
  8. Step 8: Add the boiled dal and simmer for 20 minutes on a low heat, stirring now and then.

    20 min
  9. Step 9: Garnish with 2 tbsp fresh coriander and serve hot with chapaties or paratha.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
330 kcal
Protein
14 g
Carbs
40 g
Fat
12 g
Fibre
10 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does mixed dal take?
About 60 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
What can I use instead of black gram lentils (urad dal)?
Bengal gram lentils (chana dal), same amount.
What can I use instead of bengal gram lentils (chana dal)?
Yellow split peas, same amount.

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