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–+ servings
Instant Pot Dal

Instant Pot Dal

Shivangi Rao
By Shivangi Rao
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Entrees, Instant-Pot, Meat Dishes
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup rinsed split pigeon peas (toor dal) or mix of 3/4 cup masoor dal 1/4 cup toor dal
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala optional; only add if using onions, tomatoes, garlic etc.
  • 1/2 tablespoon coriander powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder or red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 large yellow or red onion, chopped optional; only add if using onions, tomatoes, garlic etc.
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped optional; only add if using onions, tomatoes, garlic etc.
  • 2 cloves grated garlic optional; only add if using onions, tomatoes, garlic etc.
  • pinch of asafetida (hing) Must use! I get gluten free hing from Pure Indian Foods
  • Handful chopped cilantro and a generous squeeze of lemon for garnish

Instructions
 

  • First, prepare your ingredients. Rinse the dal in a colander and set aside. If using, chop the onions and tomatoes, and grate the garlic using a grater or microplane and set aside.
  • Set your Instant Pot to the "Saute" mode. Add coconut oil or ghee to the pot. Add the cumin seeds and hing and let them bloom in the oil for 15 seconds. If using, add the onions and garlic and saute them until they turn translucent. Next, if using, add the tomatoes and let it cook down. Finally, add all spices (turmeric, coriander, red chili powder, garam masala if using) and saute briefly until fragrant. Be careful to not let the spices burn in the oil, especially if you're not using onions, tomatoes, etc.
  • Add the rinsed dal and 4 cups of water. Stir everything together once. Press cancel on your Instant Pot. Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes and naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release any remaining pressure after that.
  • Open the lid and season with salt. Taste and adjust as needed.
  • Garnish with cilantro, a generous squeeze of lemon and an extra dollop of ghee. Serve hot!

Notes

Feel free to add a cup or two of chopped fresh spinach to this at the end! Just stir in the spinach to the hot dal and let it cook in it for a few minutes (put Instant pot on saute mode after dal is cooked). It adds a ton of nutrition to the dal and tastes delicious!
Tried this recipe?Mention @raodyrecipes if you like it!