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instant pot dal tadka
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Instant Pot Daal Tadka

This Instant Pot Dal Tadka is ready in under 15 minutes, and tastes delicious with naan and rice.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Pakistani, Pakistani/Indian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 227kcal
Author Wajeeha Nadeem

Ingredients

For the Dal

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 small tomato finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup moong daal (yellow split lentils) rinsed with water
  • 1/2 cup masoor daal (red split lentils) rinsed with water
  • 3 cups water

For the Tadka (Optional)

  • 3-4 tablespoons oil
  • 1/2 onion thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 3-4 dried whole button chillies (optional or substitute with slit green chillies)

For Finishing

  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Chopped coriander for garnish.

Instructions

For the Dal

  • Turn the saute mode on the Instant Pot, then add the oil.
  • Add onion, and saute for 2-3 minutes until slightly translucent.
  • Then add the tomatoes, and spices, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add both the daal and water. Mix well.
  • Cancel the saute mode, close the lid, and set valve to sealing.
  • Pressure cook for 5 minutes, and do natural pressure release for 2 mins. Move the valve to venting, to release the remaining pressure.
  • Open lid, and mix.

For the Tadka

  • On stove top, heat oil in a small frying pan.
  • Add the onions, and fry until golden brown.
  • Now add the garlic, and saute for 20 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add cumin seeds and saute for 15 seconds until aromatic.
  • Add the dried whole chillies and saute another 10 seconds.
  • Transfer the tadka to the daal.
  • Add butter and lemon juice, and mix gently.
  • Top with chopped coriander.
  • Serve with naan or rice.

Notes

  • If you want a thicker dal, reduce the amount of water by half a cup.
  • I don't like my dal to be very mushy, so the pressure cook is only 5 minutes. If you like it more cooked, then increase the time to 7 minutes.
  • To add a little more oomph to the dal, I always add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a little bit of butter. It makes the dal taste absolutely delicious.

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 3mg