Masala Dal

Masala Dal is a comforting, mildly spiced lentil dish enriched with coconut and aromatic tempering.

**Ingredients

1. Split red lentil – 1 cup
2. Green chillies (slit) – 5
3. Coriander leaves (chopped) – 1 tbsp
4. Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
5. Grated coconut – 1/2 cup
6. Salt – to taste
7. Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
8. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
9. Tomato (chopped) – 2
10. Oil – 1 tbsp
11. Onion (sliced) – 1 medium

**Instructions

1. **Prepare the dal

   • Wash and soak the lentils for 30 minutes
   • Grind grated coconut with a little water to a smooth paste and keep aside
   • Fry sliced onions until golden and keep aside

2. **Cook the dal

   • Pressure cook the soaked lentils with minimal water until soft
   • Add green chillies, turmeric powder, tomatoes, and salt
   • Cook for 3 minutes until tomatoes soften
   • Add the coconut paste and mix well
   • Cook for 1 minute and turn off the flame

3. **Temper the dal

   • Heat oil in a pan
   • Add mustard seeds; when they crackle, add cumin seeds
   • Fry briefly on low flame
   • Pour the tempering over the dal
   • Garnish with fried onions and chopped coriander leaves