Masoor dal tadka

A yummy red lentil dal with all the aromatics

Tadka is a cooking method where spices and other aromatics are cooked briefly in hot oil to bring out their best flavour. Full of nutrients and naturally vegan…it’s a nutritious meal.

AuthorHungry PandaCategoryDifficultyBeginner

Yields6 Servings
Prep Time10 minsCook Time1 hrTotal Time1 hr 10 mins

INGREDIENTS
 2 cups rice measuring cups dry masoor dal (aka red lentils), sorted and well rinsed
 4 cups rice measuring cups water
 3 rice measuring cups basmati rice (to serve)
 400 g diced fresh tomatoes/tin of tomatoes
 1 tbsp coconut or neutral flavoured oil
 6 cloves garlic, minced
 1 tbsp large yellow onion (finely diced)
 1 tbsp ginger, minced
 ½ tsp ground cumin
 1 tbsp whole mustard seeds
 1 tsp ground coriander
 1 tbsp Indian curry powder
 2 green chillis (take out the seeds for less heat)
 1 pinch salt

HOW TO MAKE
1

Combine the lentils and water in your rice cooker bowl. Use the SLOW COOK function, press START
and cook for 30 minutes.

2

While the lentils are cooking, make the tadka by adding the oil, onion, garlic, ginger, chillies and a
pinch of salt to a heated pan. Fry until soft (about 5 mins).

3

Add the spices: curry powder, mustard seeds, coriander, and cumin, along with a pinch of salt.

4

Mix and cook for about 60 seconds, then add the tomatoes. Cook for about 7 minutes to reduce.

5

Open your rice cooker then add the tadka to the cooked lentils, and leave on keep warm for around 20 minutes to infuse with flavour and release the aromatics. The longer you leave it, the richer the flavour.

6

Serve with basmati rice.

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS
 2 cups rice measuring cups dry masoor dal (aka red lentils), sorted and well rinsed
 4 cups rice measuring cups water
 3 rice measuring cups basmati rice (to serve)
 400 g diced fresh tomatoes/tin of tomatoes
 1 tbsp coconut or neutral flavoured oil
 6 cloves garlic, minced
 1 tbsp large yellow onion (finely diced)
 1 tbsp ginger, minced
 ½ tsp ground cumin
 1 tbsp whole mustard seeds
 1 tsp ground coriander
 1 tbsp Indian curry powder
 2 green chillis (take out the seeds for less heat)
 1 pinch salt

Directions

HOW TO MAKE
1

Combine the lentils and water in your rice cooker bowl. Use the SLOW COOK function, press START
and cook for 30 minutes.

2

While the lentils are cooking, make the tadka by adding the oil, onion, garlic, ginger, chillies and a
pinch of salt to a heated pan. Fry until soft (about 5 mins).

3

Add the spices: curry powder, mustard seeds, coriander, and cumin, along with a pinch of salt.

4

Mix and cook for about 60 seconds, then add the tomatoes. Cook for about 7 minutes to reduce.

5

Open your rice cooker then add the tadka to the cooked lentils, and leave on keep warm for around 20 minutes to infuse with flavour and release the aromatics. The longer you leave it, the richer the flavour.

6

Serve with basmati rice.

Masoor Dal Tadka

Garnish with fresh coriander and for a pretty effect you can drizzle plain
yoghurt in a concentric pattern. This is not good for vegans however!


Watch our recipe video to see how it’s made!