• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Instant Pot
  • Indian
  • Air Fryer
  • Shop

yellowthyme logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Instant Pot
  • Indian
  • Air Fryer
  • Shop
  • Millet
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • Indian
  • Air Fryer
  • Shop
  • Millet
×

Home » Indian Recipes

July 26, 2018

Dhaba Style Dal Tadka | Restaurant Style Yellow Dal Fry

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Today's recipe is Dhaba Style Dal Tadka also called Restaurant Style Yellow Dal.

Every household as a favourite dal and a special way of cooking it.Even within households, people cook Dal differently.My aunt usually only makes the brown Masoor with the Chilka and my mother prefers Moong.There is no right or wrong way to make a dal- you can make it in one shot in the pressure cooker-without bothering with an extra tadka or you could slow cook it like the black dal usually is for a creamy consistency.

Dhaba Style Dal Tadka | Restaurant Style Yellow Dal
Dhaba Style Dal Tadka | Restaurant Style Yellow Dal

The Method

The Dhaba Style Dal Tadka that I make has two types of tempering or tadka.The first one is with the usual suspects - Onions,Tomato,Ginger,Garlic and spices and the second tempering which creates the drama and visual appeal is with Ghee,Dry Chilli powder and Cumin.

The trick is to get the Ghee to a smoking point and then add the ingredients in a quick succession.Just before you add the chilli powder, switch off the gas so it doesn't burn but gets heated in the oil and leaves its characteristic aroma and colour.

For this Dhaba Style Dal Tadka, the second tadka is usually poured over the dal just before serving, often when the dal is already in a small bowl along with all the other accompaniments.

Types of Dals used in India

As I said above, every household has a different favourite house dal and a different way of making it.For this Dhaba Style Dal Tadka I have used a mix of

  • Channa Dal- Also called Split chickpeas or Split Bengal Gram
  • Toor Dal- Split Pigean Peas- Tuvar or Arhar Dal.

If you can't find these specific dals where you live, you can substitute Masoor Dal for Toor Dal and in a pinch skip the Chana Dal.My reason for using these specific dals is that Toor dal becomes creamy when boiled and the Channa dal retains its shape to give more texture to the dish.

Can the Dal Fry be made Vegan

Most indian households are vegetarians with exception to few dollops of ghee here and there.To make this Dhaba Style Dal Tadka Vegan simply skip the ghee and use any oil of your choice.

Dhaba Style Dal Tadka without pressure cooker

If you don't own a pressure cooker the dal should be cooked in a big pot with 5 cups of water instead.Bring everything to boil, cover and simmer for around 45-60 minutes to get the dal to a creamy consistency.

 

Dhaba Style Dal Tadka | Restaurant Style Yellow Dal

Dhaba Style Dal Tadka

Dhaba Style Dal Tadka- Restaurant Style Yellow Dal Fry
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Curry
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Dhaba Style Dal Tadka
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Chhavi

Ingredients 

  • 1 Cup Toor Dal Split Pigeon Pea
  • ¼ Cup Channa Dal Split Chickpeas
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon Salt give or take as per your taste

First Tadka

  • 1 tablespoon Oil
  • 1 pinch asafoetida Hing
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin Jeera
  • 2 onions-Chopped
  • 2 green chillies-Slit
  • 3-4 Garlic Cloves- Chopped
  • 1 inch Ginger- Chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Garam Masala optional
  • 1 tablespoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon Chilli Powder
  • 2 Tomatoes-Chopped
  • juice of ½ lime

Second Tadka

  • 2 tablespoon Ghee use oil as a Vegan Alternative
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin Jeera
  • 2 pinches asafoetida Hing
  • 3-4 Dried Red Chillies
  • 1 Green Chilli-Split
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger julienes
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic cloves-sliced
  • 3 Cloves
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

Garnish

  • Coriander Leaves

Instructions

  • Wash the Toor dal & channa dal.
  • Add it to the pressure cooker with turmeric, salt and 3 ½ Cups of water.
  • Pressure Cook for 4-5 whistles and let the steam escape on it's own.The toor dal will turn creamy and the channa dal will be soft but still hold shape.

The first Tadka*

  • In another pan, heat the oil.
  • Add the Cumin,once it splutters, add the asafoetida.Next spoon in the ginger, garlic and the green chillies.Let it cook for 30 seconds.
  • The chopped onions go in next. Saute till they are somewhere between golden brown to dark brown.
  • Sprinkle in the coriander powder,Chilli Powder and the Garam Masala.Roast for 10-20 seconds, then add in the chopped tomatoes.
  • If its too dry, add 1-2 tablespoon of water.Cook the masala till the tomatoes are mushy and soft.-Takes about 10-15 minutes.
  • Mix this masala with the dal.Add lime juice.

The Second Tadka**

  • In a small tadka pan or kadhai, heat the 2 tablespoon of Ghee.
  • When it starts to smoke, Add the cumin,asafetoda,ginger,garlic,Chillies-Red & Green and cloves.
  • Switch off the heat,Add the chilli powder.Mix with a spoon.
  • Pour this over the Hot Dal.
  • Garnish with coriander, and serve immediately.

Notes

The first Tadka*
This step should be done at the same time as the pressure cooker to save time.
The Second Tadka**
This is the last step, usually performed just before serving.
Also note that the amount of chilli in the dal will vary as per the strength of the garam masala and the chillies used.
If you liked the recipe, please leave us a rating
5 from 1 vote
Follow me on InstagramMy handle is @yellowthyme

 

Pin Me!

 

Dhaba Style Dal Tadka | Restaurant Style Yellow Dal
Dhaba Style Dal Tadka | Restaurant Style Yellow Dal

More resturant Style Indian Food

 

Restaurant Style Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer Butter Masala - Versatile Rich Indian Tomato Gravy with Cottage Cheese
Paneer Butter Masala - Versatile Rich Indian Tomato Gravy with Cottage Cheese

 

Restaurant Style Punjabi Rajma Masala

The best Restuarant Style Punjabi Rajma Masala -Easy recipe
The best Restuarant Style Punjabi Rajma Masala -Easy recipe

Nadan Kozhi Curry- Kerala Chicken Curry

Kerala Chicken Curry - Nadan Kozhi Curry -Made with Coconut Milk & Indian Spices
Kerala Chicken Curry - Nadan Kozhi Curry -Made with Coconut Milk & Indian Spices

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

More Indian Recipes

  • Chana Dal ( Instant Pot & Stove Top)
  • Rose Lassi- Indian Drink
  • Mango Lassi- Indian Summer Yogurt Drink
  • Homemade Bhatura with Yeast & Yogurt

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. May says

    November 03, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    5 stars
    Hiya, just wanted to say thanks for this recipe and several others on your website which I've used through the years. (Much appreciation from a Malaysian living in Norway) 🙂

    Reply
    • chhavi says

      November 04, 2022 at 5:14 am

      So nice to hear from you! Appreciate you reaching out here...

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Chhavi!

More about me →

Tips & Resources

  • Roasted Garlic Compound Butter
  • How Many Ounces In A Tablespoon (tbsp to oz)
  • How many Tablespoons in a Cup
  • Substitutes for Paneer
  • Substitute for Curry Powder
  • How to Store Chickpeas -Dried, Canned & Frozen
  • Substitute for Tamarind Paste - Alternatives & Recipe
  • Can you Freeze Rotisserie Chicken

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • All About me
  • Privacy Policy

Recipes

Instant Pot Recipes

Desserts & Cakes

Appetisers

Indian Food

Millets and More

Salads

Contact

  • Get in Touch

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.