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yellow moong dal served on rice on a silver plate.
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4.50 from 10 votes

Yellow Dal Recipe

Super spicy moong dal tadka or yellow dal recipe. Perfect as a main meal with rice or as a side dish for other Indian dishes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Asian and Indian Recipes
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 2 -4 servings
Calories: 298kcal
Author: Adina

Ingredients

Lentils:

  • 1 cup moong dal split yellow moong lentils, 200 g
  • 3½ cups water 850 ml
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric

Tadka:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 ½ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • 1 onion about 150 g/ 5.3 oz/ about ¾ cup chopped
  • 3 lime leaves Note 2
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon chili flakes to taste
  • 3 large garlic cloves
  • 2 tomatoes about 150 g/ 5.3 oz
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice more to taste
  • fine sea salt

Instructions

  • Cook yellow lentils: Place the moong lentils in a saucepan. Add the water and the turmeric. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes or according to the packet's instructions. The lentils should be soft. Mash lightly.
    1 cup moong dal/ 200 g + 3½ cups water 850 ml +½ teaspoon turmeric
  • Finely chop the onions, garlic and tomatoes. Keep them separated.
    1 onion + 3 large garlic cloves + 2 tomatoes
  • Cook: Heat the oil in a pan. Add the cumin and the brown mustard seeds. Stir for about 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, for about 4 minutes.
    2 tablespoons vegetable oil + 1 teaspoon cumin seeds + 1 ½ teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • Add the lime leaves, chili flakes, and chopped garlic and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and the sugar and stir for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly softened.
    3 lime leaves + ½ - 1 teaspoon chili flakes + ½ teaspoon sugar
  • Combine: Add this mixture to the cooked lentils and mix well. Add sea salt to taste. Add the lemon juice, stir again, and only add more if you feel it is necessary to taste.
    1 tablespoon lemon juice + fine sea salt
  • Serve the moong dal tadka with rice/ naan bread and yogurt/raita or as suggested above.

Notes

  1. Nutrition: The nutrition information is calculated for 2 servings when serving the lentil curry as a main meal. If the moong dal is part of a larger meal, the quantities would be enough for 4 to 6 people.
  2. Substitute: You can use curry leaves instead.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 of the dal | Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 1338mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 10g