Gujarati · serves 2

Gujarati Dal

Sweet, sour and light. If you find normal dal heavy, make this one.

30 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup toor dal
  • 1 tbsp jaggery
  • 1 tbsp tamarind pulp
  • 1 tomato
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 10 curry leaves
  • 2 dried red chillies
  • 1 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves
  • Hing
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • Peanuts (optional)

Method

  1. Pressure cook the dal soft, then whisk it completely smooth and thin it with 3 cups water. It should be drinkable, not thick.
  2. Tadka: mustard, cumin, curry leaves, red chillies, cinnamon, cloves, hing in ghee.
  3. Pour the dal in, add jaggery, tamarind, tomato and salt.
  4. Simmer 12 minutes. Taste and balance — it should be sweet first, then sour, then salty.
  5. Coriander. Serve in a bowl alongside rice, not on it.

Questions people ask about Gujarati Dal

How long does Gujarati Dal take?

About 30 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What can I use instead of jaggery in Gujarati Dal?

Use brown sugar, or white sugar with a spoon of molasses.

Can I make Gujarati Dal ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Gujarati Dal vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need a pressure cooker for Gujarati Dal?

A cooker is faster but not essential. In an open pot, expect roughly three times the cooking time and keep an eye on the water level, topping up with hot water rather than cold.

What do you serve with Gujarati Dal?

Serve in a bowl alongside rice, not on it. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

Read more on the technique

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