Urad Dal – Split Black Gram Lentil

Urad dal, is a healthy dish, rich in protein and full of essential nutrients. It is made from split and peeled black gram lentils and is tempered with small pieces of garlic to give it a delicious taste. It makes a wonderful hearty dinner served alongside some rice or chapatti.

Serves 5-6

Preparation time: 5-10 mins

Cooking time: 30-35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups Urad Dal (Split Black Gram Lentils)
• 2 tbsp. sunflower oil
• 1 small dried red chilli
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 4-5 curry leaves
• 1 ½ tsp garlic paste
• 4 tsp ginger paste
• 1 large fresh tomato
• 1 tbsp. passata
• ¾ tsp sugar
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Handful of freshly chopped coriander

Instructions

Wash and drain the dal a few times until the water runs clear.

Add 1 tsp salt and 2 tsp ginger paste to it.

Then pressure cook the dal on medium heat with 5 cups water, for about 15 -20 minutes or until it gets soft.

In a deep frying pan, heat oil in it over medium heat and add mustard seeds.

When they start to pop, add cumin seeds too.

Then add in the chopped garlic and the curry leaves.

Next, put in the chopped tomatoes and passata and leave to soften for a few minutes.

Add the rest of the ginger paste, garlic paste, turmeric, chilli powder, sugar and salt as required.

Cook for 2-3 minutes mins and add your cooked dal to it.

Stir well and leave to cook further for 5-10 minutes until it is a lovely medium consistency.

Garnish with the coriander and serve.