There are certain dishes that instantly remind you of home. A warm bowl of dal is one of the simplest and most comforting meals in any kitchen, where simple ingredients come together and the aroma of spices slowly fill the air.
This dal is the kind we often make at home. With our Surti Dal Masala the flavours come together effortlessly, bringing depth and balance to everyday dal while keeping the recipe simple. Finished with a traditional tadka (tempering), it becomes a comforting dish that pairs beautifully with rice or fresh rotis.
This is the way we make dal at home, a comforting bowl that serves 4.
What you’ll need:
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1 cup Tuvar Dal (Toor or Arhar Dal)
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1 Tomato, chopped into halves
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2½ tbsp Nueva’s Surti Dal Masala
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Water
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1 tsp Oil
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¼ tsp Rai (Mustard seeds)
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⅛ tsp Methi (Fenugreek seeds)
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Pinch of Jeeru (Cumin)
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1-2 Dried Red Chillis
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Curry Leaves (optional)
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Fresh Coriander
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Lemon juice to taste
How we make it:
Start by washing the dal 3-4 times under running water. Once clean, soak it in warm water for about 30 minutes. This helps the dal cook more evenly and give it a softer texture.
Drain the soaked dal and rinse it once more. Transfer it to a pressure cooker along with chopped tomato pieces and 3-4 cups of water. Cook until the dal is soft and fully done, about 3-4 whistles.
Once cooked, allow the steam to release completely, use a hand blender to blend the dal and tomato until smooth.
Add 2½ tbsp Surti Dal Masala to the dal and mix well into the dal so the spices blend evenly.
In a small tadka pot/pan, heat 1 tsp oil. Add the dried chillies first. Once they are heated, add methi (fenugreek seeds), jeeru (cumin), rai (mustard seeds) and allow them to crackle. Pour the hot tadka into the dal.
Place the pot dal back on the stove and bring the dal to a boil on high heat, then reduce to low heat and allow it to simmer briefly so the flavours come together. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a little more water at this stage.
Finish with freshly chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
A Small Tip
If you enjoy a slightly richer flavour, finish the dal with a small spoon of ghee just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with:
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Steamed rice
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Fresh phulkas or rotis
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A side of papad of pickle
Once you try this recipe with our Surti Dal Masala, you will definitely find yourself reaching for it again and again in everyday cooking.