Bengali Style Dal

Bengali Style Dal – A tasty dal, goes well with rice  / rotis !!

Serves:  4

For the  dal:

1 cup / 200 ml tur dal (or 1 cup / 200 ml masoor dal (pink color dal) Indian standard measuring cup of 200 ml / 8 oz capacity )

3 cups / 600 ml water

1/2 teaspoon oil

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 medium size tomato, chopped

3 green chillies, slit lengthwise

¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Method

For the  dal:

Wash and soak dal  in a pressure cooker for thirty minutes. Add  oil, turmeric powder, chopped tomato, slit green chillies, salt  and pressure cook for 20 minutes or until done / soft (reduce the heat to medium after 2nd whistle and cook for 15 minute). Switch off the heat. Allow the cooker to cool naturally. Open the lid. Gently mash dal with the base of a ladle.

For the tadka (seasoning):

2 teaspoon ghee / oil

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

2 bay leaves

Method

In a pan, heat oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds and bay leaves. Fry on a low heat for 1 -  2  minutes until  crisp and fragrant. Pour the seasoning over cooked dal and boil again for 3 minutes. Serve with rice or rotis.