Mash Daal (Dhaba Style Urad Dal)
Creamy white urad lentils finished with a sizzling garlic, ginger and tomato tarka, the way roadside dhabas make it.
- Time1 hr 5
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.74 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 in several changes of cold water, then soak it in cold water for 30 minutes and drain.
30 min - 2
Put the dal, the 1200 ml water, turmeric and salt in a large pan. Bring to the boil, skim off the foam, then simmer partly covered for 30 minutes, until the dal is very soft but a few whole pieces remain.
30 min - 3
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, then the onion, and cook for 8 minutes until golden.
8 min - 4
Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and chilli powder and cook for 6 minutes until they break down into a thick paste.
6 min - 5
Tip the hot tarka into the dal and stir. Simmer for 5 more minutes, adding a splash of hot water if it is too thick.
5 min - 6
Top with the green chillies and coriander and serve with naan or rice.
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.