Spicy Fried Lentil Curry / Dal Fry

Cook Time :40 Min | Servings : 3 Persons


Dhal fry is a very famous north Indian dish. Normally called as, ‘Tadka dhal Fry’ meaning seasoned lentil fry, seasoning the cooked dhal. It is served in most of the Indian restaurants. Any dhal varieties can be used to cook this dish. In a typical south Indian family, dhal will be cooked at least once a week. Dhal is rich in nutrients. When I was a kid, I remember harvesting dhal from our farms. They will be mixed with red soil and kept covered in the floor ( not sure, why ) for 1 or 2 days, cleaned thoroughly and cooked. Dhal with shells on is rich in fiber, my grand mother never split them before cooking.
If the cooked dhal turns out too thick, add little hot water to get your required consistency. Season the cooked dhal 5 min before serving, for a better  taste. Add a little ghee to give it that extra taste. I became a fan of dhal fry since I started working.

Ingredients :
Toor Dhal/ Yellow Pigeon Peas 1/4 cup
Moong Dhal / Split Green Gram 1/4 cup
Channa Dhal / Split Chickpea Lentil 1/4 cup
Water 3 cups
Ghee 1/4 tsp
Hing / Asefoetida a pinch
Turmeric 1/4 tsp
Onion 1/2 no
Cumin Powder 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder 1 tsp
Garam Masala 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
For Seasoning :
Ghee 1 tbsp
Mustard 1/2 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
Hing / Asefoetida a pinch
Green chili 2 nos
Curry Leaves 1 strand
Ginger and Garlic 1 tbsp
Red chili 2 nos
Coriander Leaves / Cilantro 2 stks
Directions:
  1. Step 1

    Soak dhals in water for 30 min. Pressure cook them by adding 3 cups of water and salt for 3 whistles. After the pressure is released mash them gently. Chop the onion given in the section 1. Split open green chili. Chop the coriander leaves. Chop the ginger and garlic into a fine pieces.

  2. Step 2

    In pan heat ghee given in the 1st section. When hot, add 1st section of chopped onion, turmeric, hing and fry till onion turns brown. Add the coriander powder, Cumin powder and garam masala. Fry for 30 sec – 1 min in medium flame. Add the mashed dhal, If the dhal is too thick add little hot water. Allow it to mix up well on stove for 2-3 min.Check for the salt, if required add them.

  3. Step 3

    In the meanwhile, in another nonstick pan, heat ghee given in the 2nd section. When hot, Add the mustard and the cumin seeds. When they splutters, add asefoetida. Add the chopped ginger and garlic and fry for 1 min in medium flame. Add the curry leaves, green chili, red chili and fry for 30 sec.

  4. Step 4

    Add the seasoning to the cooked dhal. Garnish with Coriander Leaves.

Tips :
  • Any kind of dhal can be used to cook dhal fry.
  • Adding chopped ginger and garlic gives a nice aroma and tastes great.
  • Adding ghee to dhal in a small amount tastes heanly. If ghee is not preffred oil can also be used.
  • Any other seasoning can also be used as preffered.

(*) Recipe best suites with naan, chapathi and roti.

16 responses to “Spicy Fried Lentil Curry / Dal Fry”

  1. Bee Avatar
    Bee

    Sashi,
    First time visiting ur blog & commenting as well. I have a Q, you have written to chop onions in both sections but I do not see onion in the 2nd section (seasoning). Do we need to add onion in 2nd section too? Let me know as I’m planning to make this for my guests tomorrow. Thanks!

    1. Sashi Avatar
      Sashi

      Hi Bee, that was a typo error. There no onion in the second section. I updated the recipe too. Thanks for letting me know. Have a wonderful time with ur guests.

      1. Bee Avatar
        Bee

        Thanks, Sashi :) Just made the Vegetable Kurma… never knew kurma can taste so good!! Thanks a lot for sharing all the recipes! Mikka Nandri :)

  2. Malar Gandhi Avatar
    Malar Gandhi

    Quite new kind of recipe, sounds wonderful:)

    Thanks for all the love and touchy comments at my space, dear. It means so much to me. I will always cherish your friendship:)

    Did I ever express, I adore your blog…esp’ non-veg preparations…you know, I just go weak on my knees seeing your mutton chukka varuval.:)

    1. Sashi Avatar
      Sashi

      Thank you dearest Malar for ur sweet compliments, Sorry for the delayed response, thought I had replied earlier. When I dont know what to prepare I really browse through all ur sections. One place with lot of varities. Thanks for all the variations you do Malar.

  3. Mona Avatar
    Mona

    What can I say about dal, its the most comforting and nourishing bowl of goodness one can ever enjoy!

  4. sunitha Avatar
    sunitha

    Your pictures are wonderful.. it took a lil to figure out how to get to your latest post but I did. Good one!

  5. Sangi Avatar
    Sangi

    wow!wat a click!!!Dal fry looks absolutely delicious n amazing presentation !!!u have a wonderful space with a gr888 collection of recipes!keep rocking…
    Tnx 4 stopping by ‘simply delicious’…

  6. Sharmila Avatar
    Sharmila

    You have a wonderful page Sashi! Love the snaps … too good! :-)

  7. Yummy Team Avatar
    Yummy Team

    Thanks a lot for visiting our blog. You have got a great blog here with lots of yummy recipes. And your pictures are really beautiful! We are still figuring out how to take good pictures :) Will try some of your recipes soon..

  8. Padma Avatar
    Padma

    Nice combination of all dhals… perfect with rice or roti.

  9. uma Avatar
    uma

    Hi Sashi,
    tempering looks perfect.. all ur photos r so nice..

  10. Sushma Mallya Avatar
    Sushma Mallya

    looks like a perfect dal with perfect tempering on it…what a lovely pic sashi,so beautiful..

  11. Nandini Avatar
    Nandini

    Alluring and scrumptious dal fry! I love this dish! Yum yum!

  12. Priya Avatar
    Priya

    Truly comforting dal!!!fantastic..

  13. vinolia Avatar
    vinolia

    that’s my favourite comfort food!!! lovely seasoning!! the pictures are appealing and palatable and the recipe sounds grand with the 3 dhals!!

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