Dal tadka, a popular Indian lentil dish, has ancient roots, with its base in lentil-based dishes dating back centuries. The addition of 'tadka', or tempering, which involves frying spices in oil, likely evolved alongside the development of spice trade in India, possibly during the Mauryan Empire. This practice allowed for the infusion of aromatic flavours into the dal, leading to the beloved dish we know today.
Lentil-based dishes have been a staple in Indian cuisine for millennia, with ancient Indian texts mentioning dal recipes served at celebrations. Dal tadka became a versatile dish, with each region adding its own twists, such as curry leaves and mustard seeds in South Indian variations. Dal tadka gained prominence in Indian restaurants, particularly with the rise of dhabas (roadside eateries) in the mid-20th century.
Enjoy the taste of one of India's best loved dishes with this recipe from The Ethicalist...
Ingredients
- 200g yellow lentils (a mix of moong dal and masoor dal is recommended)
- 8g chopped garlic
- 5g chopped ginger
- 30g chopped onion
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 5g chopped coriander
- 15g vegan butter or ghee (if not vegan)
- 5ml lemon juice
- 50ml vegetable oil
- 1L water
- 1g whole cumin
- 3g chilli powder
- 8g coriander powder
- 8g turmeric
- 4g salt (adjust to taste)
Method
- Wash the lentils at least three times to clean them then soak in water for 1 hour.
- In a deep pan, add the water, half the turmeric and the lentils and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes until the lentils are cooked.
- In the meantime, heat the oil in a frying pan, and once hot, add the cumin and let it crackle.
- Next, add the chopped garlic and sauté until brown and add the chopped onion, sautéing until they begin to brown.
- Add the powdered spices and mix. Next, add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft. Then add the boiled lentils and mix together.
- Season with salt and finish with vegan butter, chopped coriander and lemon juice.
- Serve with naan, chilli and coriander chutney, and any other side dishes you like!