Five Appetizing Dishes You Can Prepare From Toor Dal

Toor dal (also known as pigeon pea) is one of the most commonly used lentils in Indian cooking. It’s delicious, nutritious, and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Here are five different ways to cook toor dal in Indian style:

1. Toor Dal Tadka (South Indian Style)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup toor dal
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 green chili, slit
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• Curry leaves
• 1 tbsp ghee or oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions:

1. Wash the toor dal thoroughly and cook it in a pressure cooker with 2 cups of water for 3-4 whistles or until soft.
2. Heat ghee or oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add curry leaves.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute.
4. Add chopped tomatoes, green chili, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes soften.
5. Add the cooked dal and adjust the consistency with water. Add garam masala and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with rice or roti.

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2. Toor Dal Sambar (South Indian Style)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup toor dal
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 potato, diced
• 1 drumstick (optional), cut into pieces
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp sambar powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1-2 dry red chilies
• 1 tbsp curry leaves
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves

Instructions:

1. Cook the toor dal in a pressure cooker with enough water until soft. Mash it lightly.
2. In another pot, heat oil and add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add cumin seeds, dry red chilies, and curry leaves.
3. Add onions and sauté till golden brown. Then, add tomatoes, carrots, potato, and drumstick pieces. Stir well.
4. Add the turmeric powder, sambar powder, salt, and tamarind paste. Add water to make a thin consistency.
5. Let the vegetables cook. Once tender, add the cooked dal and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with idli, dosa, or rice.

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3. Toor Dal Khichdi (Comfort Food)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup toor dal
• 1/2 cup rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Salt to taste
• Water (3-4 cups)
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Wash the rice and dal together thoroughly.
2. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add onions and sauté until soft. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute.
4. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Stir well.
5. Add the rice and dal mixture, then pour in 3-4 cups of water.
6. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles or until both the rice and dal are soft and cooked.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with yogurt or pickle.

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4. Toor Dal Curry (Maharashtrian Style)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup toor dal
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 2 tbsp coconut, grated
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp jaggery (optional)
• 1 tbsp tamarind pulp
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the toor dal with water until soft.
2. In a pan, heat oil and sauté onions until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
3. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes soften.
4. Grind the grated coconut with a little water to make a smooth paste and add it to the pan.
5. Add the cooked dal, tamarind pulp, and jaggery. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with chapati or rice.

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5. Toor Dal with Spinach (Palak Toor Dal)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup toor dal
• 2 cups spinach (palak), chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 green chili, slit
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp ghee or oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash and cook the toor dal in a pressure cooker with water until soft.
2. Heat ghee or oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add onions and sauté until golden.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute. Then, add tomatoes and green chili.
4. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes soften.
5. Add chopped spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
6. Add the cooked dal and adjust the consistency with water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Serve hot with rice or roti.

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These are just a few variations of how to prepare toor dal in Indian cuisine. Each recipe brings out different flavors and textures, so feel free to experiment with them based on your taste preferences!