Gujarati Tuvar Dal – Split Pigeon Pea Lentil

Tuvar Dal is a North Indian style dal also known as Toor Dal. A traditional everyday comforting dal popular in Gujarati cuisine. The dal has a thin consistency and a very earthy sweet and spicy flavour. It is a great source of protein and has high dietary fibre too.

Serves 5

Preparation time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup Tuvar Dal (1tsp ginger paste, 1 tsp salt for pressure cooking)
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• ¼ tsp mustard seeds
• ¼ tsp cumin seeds
• 8 curry leaves
• 1 green chilli chopped
• 1 fresh chopped tomato
• 3 tsp ginger paste
• Small handful of peanuts (optional)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1tsp chilli powder
• 6/7 tsp sugar (or as required)
• Salt to taste
• Freshly chopped coriander

Instructions

Wash the dal in water a few time until the water looks clearer.

Pressure cook the dal with 3 cups of water and ginger paste and salt for 15 minutes on medium heat (about 3 – 4 whistles).

Then whisk the dal with a hand blender to a nice smooth consistency.

Heat oil in a small pan and when hot add the mustard seeds followed by the cumin seeds.

Add the dried red chilli, cinnamon, green chilli and curry leaves.

Next, add the fresh tomato, ginger paste, peanuts, turmeric and chilli powder and leave to cook until tomato has softened.

Add the dal, salt to taste and sugar and stir well.

Let the dal simmer for 20 minutes.

Add chopped coriander, stir and serve hot with some rice and yoghurt.