Dal Tadka/Tadke wali Dal /Restaurant style Dal Tadka recipe

Dal Tadka /Tadka Dal is one of the most popular and most ordered  dish in a restaurant or dhabas .Dal Tadka is a simple yet delicious dish made with mixed lentils. Dal Tadka/Tadke wali  dal taste best with hot steamed rice/roti   .I love having this simple Dal  Chawal/Rice with a side dish or pickle is a simple but very satisfying meal especially on Mondays since we are hard core non vegetarians and our weekend meals are lavish and elaborate non veg ones.

   Tempering/tadka is very important step for this Dal. ...Its mildly spiced  the tempering and taste really good with hot steamed rice and a dollop of pure ghee...OH ! the taste is superb..,
Here you go with a simple yet delicious recipe of Dal Tadka .

Ingredients:

1/2  cup toor Dal/arhar dal/split pigeon peas
1/4 cup Masoor Dal /red lentils
1/4 cup moong dal
1/4 cup chana dal/bengal gram
1 onion
6- 8  cloves garlic
3 green chillies
1 small tomato chopped
1 tbsp ghee
1 sprig curry leaves
1 tsp mustard seeds
 1 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/4 cup coriander leaves chopped
2 kashmiri chillies
2tbsp ghee
a pinch of asafoetida/hing
salt to taste

Method;

•  Soak the lentils/Dals in water for about 30 minutes.
• Boil it with salt ,turmeric and water ,chopped onion till its cooked well,you could even pressure cook it.
• In a vessel heat  add 1tbsp ghee/oil add hing,cumin,mustard  seeds, sprig of curry leaves,3 crushed garlic ,3 slit green chillies.  saute for a minute.
• Then add chopped tomatoes and saute for 2 to 3 minutes 
• Add the cooked Dal and mix let it come to a nice boil then add the coriander leaves,check for salt and water add if needed.
• You may add 1/2 tsp kasuri methi and  lemon juice as needed 
• In another pan /tempering pan add remaining  ghee/oil, once hot add ,red chilli,1/2 tsp cumin seeds ,minced  garlic and   1/2 tsp red chilli powder .
• Pour this tadka/tempering on the dal
• Serve hot with Steamed rice  .

Notes
you may use any lentils you prefer or make it with toor,chana and masoor as well.
If cooking in pressure cooker you may need to cook the dal for 7 to 8 whistles ,I prefer cooking dal in pot/vessel always
You may use oil but ghee enhances the flavour of this
I dont prefer adding ginger to dal but you may add around 1/2 inch minced or grated finger to the first tempering or while you add in tomatoes.