Is there any food that is more comforting than this good old combination of Dal Tadka, Rice, and Jeera Aloo? I don’t think so. It is perfect for the time when you want something simple, don’t feel like eating a lot, or just want to chill in the bed with a warm and light meal. It is quick and easy to make and requires very basic ingredients that everybody has (not counting the exceptions :D). So, do try this meal over lunch or dinner and thank me later.
For more dinner recipes, you must check out – Dalia Pulao, Vegan Pad Thai Noodles, Raw Mango Dal Rasam with Rice, and Chickpea Pulao.
Story Time
Jatin is not a fan of dal and rice. Maybe because he is a Punjabi and is not used to eating plain rice with a simple dal. But, I am from Uttar Pradesh and I have grown up eating this meal. We used to have Toor dal, rice, chapati, and one kind of seasonal vegetable every day for lunch. It is a staple meal of Uttar Pradesh. In fact, when we return home after a trip or we had some rich food outside in a restaurant or in a wedding, the next day all we want is this simple dal and rice. It is soothing, and comforting and makes a delightful meal.
After getting married, I don’t make it so much but whenever Jatin is not home or he is not very hungry, I make this combo for myself. And guess what, even though Jatin says that he doesn’t enjoy this meal much, he ALWAYS goes for the second serving. It is a record. I am not even kidding. Whenever I boil potatoes for something, I boil some extra potatoes so that I can make this meal combo too. If you have never tried this, you are seriously missing out on something so good. Try it and thank me later.
What is Dal Tadka?
Dal tadka is a popular Indian cuisine most commonly made with Toor dal (Arhar dal) and tempered with ghee or oil and some seasoning ingredients like garlic, cumin seeds, and dry red chili (whole). There are many different ways of tempering a dal:
- Garlic and cumin seeds
- Mustard seeds and curry leaves
- Cumin seeds, asafoetida, and red chili powder
Every region has its own way of preparing this recipe. You can also check out another simple dal recipe that I prepare quite often – Mix Moong Dal.
How to cook dal?
Every dal takes a different time to cook. Some get soft and perfectly cooked in just ten minutes without presoaking. But some need to be soaked well in advance to speed up the cooking process. Some lentils (like yellow moong dal or dhuli masoor dal) can be cooked in a saucepan but some lentils (like kidney beans, chickpeas, kali masoor dal, toor dal, etc.) need a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot for cooking.
It is always better to presoak lentils for at least 30 minutes (except for the ones that need overnight soaking). It is good not just for faster cooking but also helps in better absorption of certain nutrients.
Below are the methods that can be used to cook toor dal:
- Saucepan – You can cook Toor dal in a saucepan but it would take a lot of time to soften and get perfectly cooked and mushy. It is better to soak it well in advance to speed up the cooking process. Cook with water and the seasonings as mentioned in the recipe box.
- Pressure Cooker – If using a pressure cooker, cook it on high flame for one whistle. After that, lower the flame and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes.
- Instant Pot – I cook dal in Instant pot only. You can follow the recipe as given in the recipe box below.
How to store Dal Tadka?
You can store dal in an air-tight container and refrigerate it. Consume it within 2 days.
You can even freeze it for up to a month. Do not add coriander leaves. While serving, heat it well and then garnish it with some fresh coriander leaves. You can even make a big batch and store it without tempering. Temper with your choice of tempering ingredients while serving. I never tried freezing it since I prefer to make it fresh.
What is Jeera Aloo?
Jeera aloo is a simple seasoned potato recipe that is often served with some dal, chapati, and rice. It is made with some boiled potatoes that are seasoned with cumin seeds and some basic spices like salt, red chili powder, and turmeric powder. You can even add coriander powder or garam masala, green chili, or dry red chili (whole). It is such a versatile recipe.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes. Of course. All the ingredients used in this recipe are vegan and plant-based.
More Indian vegan recipes to try – Misal Pav, Vegan Dum Biryani, Lemon Rice.
Easy Swaps
- Toor Dal: Instead of Toor Dal, you can use yellow moong dal or dhuli masoor dal (orange dal). Both these dals or lentils cook much faster than Toor dal. So, time them accordingly.
- Rice: Instead of rice, you can serve it with some cooked Dalia, millets, or quinoa.
More Indian Lentil Recipes to try
- Raw Mango Rasam Rice
- South Indian Sambar
- Punjabi Rajma (Kidney Bean Curry)
- Kali Masoor Dal
- Vegan Dal Makhani
Now we are all ready to make this deliciously simple and comforting meal combo – Toor Dal with Rice and Jeera Aloo. It is a nourishing bowl of happiness. Make it over lunch, brunch, or for a relaxing dinner. Make it a little extra because you can’t get enough of this.
If you try the recipe and like it too, please share the photo of your dish on Instagram and tag us too @thefearlesscooking. We love to see your recreation of our recipes.
Happy Cooking 🙂
Love from us
Richa & Jatin
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