How much cooking time?

45 min — 15 min prep, 30 min cooking.

Dal Fry (Punjabi Dhaba Style)

Name: Dal Fry (Punjabi Dhaba Style)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 5 servings
Cuisine: Punjab Indian
Ingredients: Coriander Leaves; 2piece Tomato; 2tbsp Kasuri Methi; 5piece Garlic; Lemon; 0.5tsp Turmeric Powder; 2piece green chillies; Water; Ghee; salt; 2piece Ginger; 1piece onion; 1tbsp Fennel Seeds; 1tsp Kashmiri Mirch (Premium Silk Grade Powder); 0.5tsp Asafoetida; 1tbsp Cumin Seeds; 2piece dry red chillies; 1cup Chana Dal; 1tbsp Mustard Seeds (Black)

A classic North Indian Punjabi dhaba-style chana dal — slow-cooked with onion, tomato, ginger-garlic and a generous tempering of cumin, mustard, dry red chillies and kasuri methi. Mildly tangy, deeply spiced. Pairs with steamed rice, roti or naan.

Time 45 min · Serves 5 · 220 kcal · North India, Punjab

Ingredients

Garnish

Coriander Leaves (optional) (garnish) (chopped)

Main

Tomato — 2 piece (chopped)
Kasuri Methi — 2 tbsp (ground)
Garlic — 5 piece (chopped)
Lemon (optional) (chopped)
Turmeric Powder — 0.5 tsp (ground)
green chillies — 2 piece (chopped)
Water (optional) (whole)
Ghee (optional) (whole)
salt (optional) (whole)
Ginger — 2 piece (chopped)
onion — 1 piece (chopped)
Fennel Seeds — 1 tbsp (whole)
Kashmiri Mirch (Premium Silk Grade Powder) — 1 tsp (ground)

Tempering

Asafoetida — 0.5 tsp (ground)
Cumin Seeds — 1 tbsp (whole)
dry red chillies — 2 piece (whole)
Chana Dal — 1 cup (whole)
Mustard Seeds (Black) — 1 tbsp (whole)

Method

To begin making the Dal Fry Recipe, wash the dal and soak it in the water for about 20 to 30 minutes.Pressure cook the dal for 5-6 whistles with water, salt and turmeric powder.
Wait for the pressure to release naturally.
Once done, open the lid and set it aside.
Drain and reserve the water.Heat oil and ghee in a kadhai.
Once hot, add the grated ginger, garlic and green chillies to it.Saute for a few seconds and add the chopped onion.
Saute for another 3-4 minutes till onions are soft and golden brown in colour.Once done add the tomatoes to it and let it cook for 2 minutes till the tomatoes are soft and mushy.After the tomatoes are soft add the cooked lentils to the masala and give it a good mix.
Add water as and when needed to reach the consistency you prefer.
I prefer it a little thicker.The next step is to temper the dal.
Heat ghee/clarified butter in a small tadka pan.
Once hot, add the cumin seeds, fennel seeds and mustard seeds and dry red chillies, followed by the hing and red chilli powder.
Fry for 15 secs till everything has popped and is fragrant.
Make sure that you do not burn them.
Pour the tadka on the dal.
Rest the dal fry for 10 mins before giving it a stir and serve.
Serve hot, garnished with coriander leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice.Serve Dal Fry Recipe with Steamed Rice Recipe or jeera rice or Phulka and Aloo Methi Masala Recipe for a delicious meal.

Common questions

How many calories in one plate of Dal Fry (Punjabi Dhaba Style)?: 220 kcal per plate.
How much cooking time?: 45 min — 15 min prep, 30 min cooking.

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