Garlic and tomato dal fry, dhaba style
Soft yellow lentils finished with a sizzling garlic, tomato and chilli tarka for a smoky roadside flavour.
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.85 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Rinse the dal. Cook it in the water with the turmeric and salt for 35 minutes, partly covered, until completely soft. Whisk smooth.
35 min - 2
Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the cumin seeds and dried chillies for 20 seconds.
- 3
Add the onion and cook for 8 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 2 minutes until the garlic turns gold.
8 min - 4
Stir in the tomatoes and chilli powder and cook for 6 minutes until pulpy and the oil separates.
6 min - 5
Pour the dal into the pan and simmer for 5 minutes to marry the flavours.
5 min - 6
Stir in garam masala and coriander. Serve with rice or chapatis.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.