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Coziest Ever Mixed Moong Dal Tarka

A simple easy and very satisfying recipe for dal. It is versatile and flexible and perfect for your weeknight to weekend goals.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons light olive oil Can be substituted with any neutral oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole mustard seeds
  • 1 dried red chili
  • 10 curry leaves
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger
  • 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup split green moong lentils
  • 1/4 cup split yellow moong lentils
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon mild red chili powder, like Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup about 3 tomatoes, chopped (or 3/4 cup of diced canned tomatoes
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as corn or finely chopped cauliflower) (optional but a good idea
  • 1 teaspoon ghee
Optional Variation Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup cooked white beans
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi
Finishing Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1/2 fresh lime, juiced)

Method
 

  1. Dal
  2. Turn the instant pot into sauté mode, heat the oil until smoking. Add in the whole cumin seed and the mustard seeds and allow about 30 seconds for the seeds to crackle.
  3. Add in the whole red chili and the curry leaf and stir it in.
  4. Add in the chopped red onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion softens and wilts.
  5. Add in the the ginger and garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
  6. Add in the green and yellow moong dal and mix well. And add in 2 and 1/4 cup water.
  7. Stir in the tomatoes, salt, turmeric, and kashmiri chili powder. Add in the vegetables if using. Add in the ghee.
  8. If doing the optional variation, add in the beans and the fenugreek leaves.
  9. Cover and set the instant pot to 10 minutes and allow for a natural release or release the pressure after 10 minutes.
  10. Stir the dal well to mash and incorporate, check for the desired thickness.
  11. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro and enjoy!
    12. Note, if you wish to do it on a stove top, start with a heavy bottomed pan, and continue as described., until the pressure setting stage. Instead of setting the pressure, bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 40 minutes, on medium heat, stirring occasionally to break down the dal. Continue cooking until a nice soft and creamy consistency is reached. Finish as drescribed.