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One Pot Mong Masoor Daal Recipe

4.8 from 107 reviews

One Pot Mong Masoor Daal is a comforting and nutritious Indian lentil stew made with red and yellow lentils cooked with aromatic spices, garlic, tomatoes, and onions, finished with a flavorful tempering of roasted garlic, red chilies, and cumin seeds. This wholesome, easy-to-make dish is perfect for a cozy meal and can be prepared on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker for quicker cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Lentils and Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup red lentils (masoor dal)
  • 1/2 cup yellow lentils (moong dal)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 large tomato, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 green chilies
  • 3 1/2 cups water

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala

Tempering (Tadka)

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon roasted cumin seeds
  • 2 red chilies (or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper)

Instructions

  1. Soak the lentils: Rinse and soak both the red and yellow lentils in water for at least one hour. Soaking softens the lentils and helps them cook faster and fluffier.
  2. Combine ingredients in pot: Add the soaked lentils to a pot along with chopped onions, tomatoes, whole garlic cloves, and green chilies.
  3. Add spices: Sprinkle in salt, red chili flakes, turmeric powder, and coriander powder over the lentil mixture.
  4. Cook the dal: Pour in 3 1/2 cups of water and cook on medium flame for 25 to 30 minutes until the lentils and vegetables become soft.
  5. Pressure cooker alternative: For a faster option, use a pressure cooker to cook the dal on high pressure for about 15 minutes until tender.
  6. Whisk the cooked dal: Once cooked, use a whisk to thoroughly combine the lentils and veggies, stirring intermittently for 1 to 2 minutes to create a smooth texture.
  7. Prepare the tempering: In a separate pan, heat coconut oil. Add sliced garlic, whole red chilies, and roasted cumin seeds, frying until the garlic turns golden and fragrant.
  8. Finish the dal: Pour the hot tempering over the cooked lentils. Sprinkle garam masala generously and stir gently to incorporate the flavors. Your Mong Masoor Daal is ready to serve!

Notes

  • Soaking lentils reduces cooking time and makes them easier to digest.
  • Adjust chili and spice levels to taste for a milder or spicier dal.
  • Garam masala is added at the end to preserve its aromatic flavor.
  • Using a pressure cooker significantly speeds up the cooking process.
  • Serve with steamed rice, roti, or naan for a complete meal.

Keywords: Mong Masoor Daal, Indian lentil curry, red lentils recipe, yellow lentils recipe, vegetarian Indian dal, easy dal recipe, one pot dal