Pumpkin Dal with Garlic Tadka Recipe
Pumpkin Dal with Garlic Tadka is a comforting and flavorful North Indian dish, perfect for a cozy dinner. This recipe combines a medley of dals (lentils) with the sweetness of pumpkin, complemented by the aromatic and rich flavors of garlic tadka (tempering). The dish is both hearty and nutritious, making it ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal anytime.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal) | 1/4 cup |
| Yellow Moong Dal (Split) | 1/4 cup |
| Masoor Dal (Whole) | 1/4 cup |
| Ginger (grated) | 1 inch |
| Green Chillies (slit) | 2 |
| Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini) | 1 inch |
| Bay Leaves (Tej Patta) | 1 |
| Tomatoes (finely chopped) | 2 |
| Kaddu (Pumpkin) – peeled and chopped | 250 grams |
| Salt | To taste |
| Sunflower Oil for cooking | As required |
| Turmeric Powder (Haldi) | 1 teaspoon |
| Ghee | 1 teaspoon |
| Cumin Seeds (Jeera) | 1 teaspoon |
| Garlic (cloves) | 4 |
| Dry Red Chillies | 2 |
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: North Indian
Course: Dinner
Diet: Diabetic Friendly
Instructions:
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Preparing the Dal:
- Begin by gathering and preparing all the ingredients for the dal. Wash the dals thoroughly to remove any dust or impurities. Peel and chop the pumpkin into small pieces, and chop the tomatoes finely.
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Cooking in the Pressure Cooker:
- In a pressure cooker, add all the ingredients for the dal (except the tadka ingredients), including the washed dals, chopped pumpkin, tomatoes, grated ginger, green chilies, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, turmeric powder, and salt.
- Pour in 2 1/2 cups of water. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook on medium heat for about 2 whistles. After the whistles, reduce the heat to low and simmer the dal for a couple of minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally. Once the pressure has been released, carefully open the cooker and stir the dal well. Taste and adjust the salt and spices as needed.
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Preparing the Garlic Tadka (Tempering):
- For the tadka, heat 1 teaspoon of ghee in a small tadka pan or frying pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds, garlic cloves, and dry red chilies to the hot ghee. Roast the mixture for a few seconds, ensuring the garlic becomes golden and aromatic, but be careful not to burn it.
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Final Step:
- Pour the hot garlic tadka over the cooked dal and give it a final stir to blend the flavors.
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Serving:
- Serve this delicious Pumpkin Dal with Garlic Tadka hot, accompanied by steamed rice, crispy papad, and tangy achaar (pickle) for a complete and satisfying meal.
This warm, hearty dal is not only easy to make but also a great option for a diabetic-friendly, light, and nutritious dinner. The combination of the sweet pumpkin, spicy tempering, and the earthy dals makes this dish a winner at the dinner table.
