1cuptoor dalalso known as arhar dal/pigeon peas lentil
1.5teaspoonsaltdivided, to taste
1.5tablespoonspeanutsraw
3/4teaspoonturmeric
5-6cupswaterdivided, 40-48 oz
1/3cupchopped tomato
1teaspoongrated ginger
1green chilisliced, add more to taste
2.5tablespoonsjaggery powderor a small piece of jaggery
3/4teaspooncoriander powder
1/4teaspoongaram masala
1/4teaspoonred chili powderadd more to taste
1/2teaspoonKashmiri red chili powdernot hot, added for color
2tablespoonslemon juice
Tempering/Tadka
2tablespoonsgheeor oil
1/2teaspooncumin seeds
1/2teaspoonblack mustard seeds
1/2teaspoonfenugreek seeds
1/4teaspoonhingasafoetida, use gluten-free hing to make this gluten-free
4wholecloves
1inchcinnamon stick
8-10curry leaves
cilantrochopped, to garnish
Instructions
To a pressure cooker, add toor dal/arhar dal along with 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon turmeric powder and 3 cups of water. Add 1.5 tablespoon peanuts to a small steel bowl and place it in the center of pressure cooker. You can also tie the peanuts in a muslin cloth. Cook for 7 to 8 whistles on medium-high heat. Let the pressure release naturally. If using an Instant pot, pressure cook 8 minutes on high pressure with natural pressure release.
Open the pressure cooker, carefully remove the bowl of peanuts using a pair of tongs and set aside.
Add 2 to 3 cups more water (adjust according to consistency preference, Gujarati dal is supposed to be on the thinner side, so I recommend adding 3 cups water here). Using an immersion blender, blend the dal until it's uniform and you see no dal particles.
At this point, I transferred the dal from the pressure cooker to a pot on medium heat but you don't have to do it. You can do rest of the steps in the pressure cooker as well. Add the chopped tomato, grated ginger and sliced green chili to the dal.
Now, add jaggery powder, coriander powder, garam masala, red chili powder, Kashmiri red chili powder and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt (adjust to taste). into the dal. Give everything a good stir and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile make the tadka.
Tadka/Tempering
To make the tadka, heat 2 tablespoons ghee (or use oil) in a small pan on medium heat.
Once hot, add the cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, hing, cloves & cinnamon stick. Let the seeds sizzle and mustard seeds pop. Add in the curry leaves. They will splutter a lot so move away from the pan as soon as you add the curry leaves. Remove pan from heat.
Pour the tadka over the pot of simmering dal. Add the lemon juice and also the boiled peanuts back into the dal. Garnish with cilantro and simmer 2 more minutes! Serve piping hot.
Instant Pot Version
Add the dal along with salt and turmeric and the peanuts (place over trivet in a small bowl) to the steel pot of your Instant Pot. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.Then press the sauté button and do the rest of the steps on sauté mode. Make tadka in a separate pan and pour over simmering dal.
Notes
Leftover dal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The consistency of dal will thicken so you will need to add water while re-heating. You can re-heat in microwave or in a pan on stove-top.
If you want to store dal for even longer time, you can freeze it in a freezer safe bag.
Skin hing (asafoetida) to make this recipe gluten-free.
This is a thin consistency dal, so keep that in mind while making the recipe.
If you don't have jaggery, you can use sugar in place.