Dhaba style dal fry
Dhaba style dal fry is a versatile Indian dish that can be had with all Indian breads and rice dishes.
Dal fry is usually made with toor dal, moong dal, mix of toor dal & moong dal, masoor dal, etc. But authentic dhaba style dal fry is always made using toor dal or pigeon pea lentils. Dal is cooked in a pressure cooker or a pot and tempered with Indian spices.
Other curry recipes with dal – Chow Chow kootu recipe / Chayote kootu recipe, Easy Sambar Recipe, Simple Dal Fry Recipe
Cooking instructions with step by step pictures
Wash and soak toor dal in water for at least 20 minutes.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_20201215_083846-min-scaled.jpg)
In a pressure cooker, add soaked toor dal, garlic pods, turmeric powder and castor oil.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_102803_1-scaled.jpg)
Add in roughly chopped tomatoes too.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_103003_1-scaled.jpg)
Now add water and pressure cook the dal for 3 whistles and simmer for 5 minutes.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_103055-scaled.jpg)
Let the pressure release naturally and open the pressure cooker.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_115035-scaled.jpg)
Mash the dal if needed.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_115210-scaled.jpg)
Heat oil / ghee in a pan and add mustard seeds. Once mustard seeds crackle add cumin seeds.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_121728-scaled.jpg)
Now add chopped onions, green chillies, red chillies and curry leaves.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_121902_1-scaled.jpg)
Add asafoetida and saute till the onions are slightly browned.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_121937-scaled.jpg)
Add the salt required for this dish.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_122021-scaled.jpg)
Once onions are cooked enough, add red chilli powder and garam masala powder. Saute the masala powders in oil till the raw smell of masala powders go off.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_122119-scaled.jpg)
Add the cooked dal and mix well.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_122202-scaled.jpg)
If needed add some water to adjust the consistency and bring it to a boil.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_122248-scaled.jpg)
Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
![](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_122648-scaled.jpg)
Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot !!
![Dhaba style dal fry](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_123129_1-1-scaled.jpg)
Recipe notes
- You can replace toor dal with moong dal, masoor dal or a mixture of Dal’s.
- This dal fry can be served with steamed rice, ghee rice, phulkas / rotis / chapatis.
- Top it with a gallop of ghee before serving to enhance the taste and smell.
- Dal slightly thickens on cooling so adjust the consistency accordingly.
- You can also make this as a no onion no garlic recipe by totally avoiding them.
- You can replace coriander leaves with kasuri methi for garnishing.
Other curry recipes with dal
Chow Chow kootu recipe / Chayote kootu recipe
![Dhaba style dal fry](https://www.theindianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_20201211_123129_1-500x500.jpg)
Dhaba style dal fry
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- Pan
Ingredients
To pressure cook
- ½ cup toor dal
- 1 ½ cups water
- 4 to 5 garlic cloves
- A pinch of turmeric powder
- 2 to matoes roughly chopped
- 1 tsp castor oil
For tempering and dal fry
- 1 tbsp oil / ghee
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 green chili
- 2 dried red chillies
- A sprig of curry leaves
- A pinch of asafoetida
- Salt to taste
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- Coriander leaves for garnishing
Instructions
- Wash and soak toor dal in water for at least 20 minutes.
- In a pressure cooker, add soaked toor dal, garlic pods, turmeric powder and castor oil.
- Add in roughly chopped tomatoes too.
- Now add water and pressure cook the dal for 3 whistles and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally and open the pressure cooker.
- Mash the dal if needed.
- Heat oil / ghee in a pan and add mustard seeds. Once mustard seeds crackle add cumin seeds.
- Now add chopped onions, green chillies, red chillies and curry leaves.
- Add asafoetida and saute till the onions are slightly browned.
- Add the salt required for this dish.
- Once onions are cooked enough, add red chilli powder and garam masala powder. Saute the masala powders in oil till the raw smell of masala powders go off.
- Add the cooked dal and mix well.
- If needed add some water to adjust the consistency and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot !!
Notes
- You can replace toor dal with moong dal, masoor dal or a mixture of dals.
- This dal fry can be served with steamed rice, ghee rice, phulkas / rotis / chapathis.
- Top it with a gallop of ghee before serving to enhance the taste and smell.
- Dal slightly thickens on cooling so adjust the consistency accordingly.