Print

Easy One-Pot Dal Tadka with Basmati Rice

one-pot dal tadka - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and comforting one-pot meal combining creamy toor dal and fluffy basmati rice, enhanced with a flavorful tadka tempering of spices and garlic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas), rinsed well (substitute with yellow moong dal for milder flavor)
  • 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed (aged basmati preferred)
  • 4 cups water (adjust as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil (ghee preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 dried red chilies (optional)
  • 4–5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green chili, slit lengthwise (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup of toor dal and 1 cup of basmati rice separately under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak them for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain the soaked dal and rice. In a heavy-bottomed pot, add dal, rice, 4 cups water, turmeric powder, and salt. Stir gently to mix.
  3. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until dal is soft and rice is fluffy. Add water if needed to prevent sticking.
  4. While dal and rice cook, heat ghee or oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. When they pop, add dried red chilies and asafoetida.
  5. Add sliced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant (1-2 minutes). Add chopped onion and green chili; cook until onion is translucent and slightly caramelized (4-5 minutes).
  6. Once dal and rice are cooked, stir gently. Pour hot tadka over the dal mixture, cover immediately, and let rest for 5 minutes.
  7. Stir tadka into dal and rice gently. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Adjust salt or spice as needed.
  8. Serve warm with pickles, yogurt, or as desired.

Notes

Soaking dal and rice separately helps even cooking and reduces time. Watch garlic closely during tadka to avoid burning. Adjust water based on rice brand and desired consistency. Resting after adding tadka enhances flavor. For vegan version, replace ghee with coconut or vegetable oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: dal tadka, one-pot meal, toor dal, basmati rice, Indian comfort food, easy dal recipe, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/easy-one-pot-dal-tadka-with-basmati-rice-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-meals/