(Chilka Urad dal)
Split black Urad dal or Black grams are also known as Black chilka urad dal. These Black urad lentils have been split but not skinned and have creamy white interior. Black urad dal is very delicious in taste and easy and quick to prepare compare to whole black urad. Split black lentils are not as mild as white urad, which have been split and skinned. Like other dals it is nutritious and high in protein. The addition of different kind of tadkas gives this dal a wonderful flavor.
Ingredients for Dal:
1 Cup black split urad dal
½ Teaspoon turmeric powder
1½ Teaspoon salt or to taste
4 Cups of water
Ingredients for onion tadka:
1 Medium size onion – finely chopped
1 Teaspoon minced garlic (optional)
1 Medium ripe tomato – chopped
1 Medium green chili – chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Ingredients cumin seed tadka:
1 Teaspoon cumin seeds
1 Pinch of asafetida (Hing)
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Ingredients for hot chili tadka:
2 Teaspoons crushed red chilies or red
chili powder
2 Tablespoons melted butter or ghee
Serving for 4
Cooking measuremetn conversion
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Split Black Urad dal
Tomatoes, Onion, Green Chilies, Grated Ginger & Minced Garlic
Crushed Peppers, Butter, Cumin Seeds & Hing ( Asafetida)
Direction for cooking dal:
1. In a pressure cooker add dal and wash, changing water several times until the water appears clear and then soak dal in 4 cups of water for 30 minutes or longer.
In The Pressure cooker add Dal
Wash Dal well
2. Once Dal is soaked rinse the water out and wash.
Soak Black split lentils in Water
Wash and rinse soaked Dal
3. Add 4 cups of water,Turmeric powder, salt and 1 teaspoon of oil and mix. When Dal is boiling it creates lot of foam and the foam comes out from
Pressure cooker to prevent that it is a good idea to add little oil.
4. Close the lid of the pressure cooker, place the weight on the lid and cook on
medium heat.
Black Split Urad are soaked
Add Water in soaked Urad
Add Turmeric powder & salt & mix
Close the pressure cooke
5. In about 8 to 10 minutes pressure cooker will start steaming turn the heat down and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the stove off and wait until steam
goes down. Different brand of cooker require different time to cook.
6. While Dal is cooking prepare Onion and Cumin seed Tadka and keep them aside. (see below for tadka directions)
7. Open the Pressure cooker, turn the stove on to medium heat, with the cooking spoon mix dal well so there are no lumps, if the dal is thick then add more water if it is too watery then cook little longer. Cook Dal for few minutes so that it blend well.
Open Pressure cooker
With a spoon mix Dal well
Dal become tender
Black split Dal blended well
8. Add Onion Tadka and mix and cook Dal for 5 to 6 minutes or until Dal and Tadka blend well and you have the desired constancy.
9. Add Cumin seed Tadka and mix cook for 1 minute and turn stove off.
10. When ready to serve, transfer Dal in a serving bowl and pour hot Chili Tadka over Dal. (See below for chili tadka)
Add Onion Tadka
With a spoon mix Onion Tadka
Onion Tadka Blend in with Dal
Add Cumin Seed Tadka
Black Split Urad Dal Is ready
Black split Urad Dal
Tips:
1. If you wish you can skip onion tadka or any other tadka and alter Dal to your taste.
2. Use pressure cooker for cooking dal otherwise it takes too long to cook dal.
Directions for cumin seeds tadka: (tadka)
1. In a small pan (tadka pan) add 1 tablespoon oil, cumin seeds and asafetida and fry them for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat or until cumin seeds become brown.
Direction for hot chili tadka: (Hot oil) (tadka)
1. In a small pan (tadka pan) heat 2 tablespoons ghee or melted butter add crushed red chilies or red chili powder and fry them on very low heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until the red chilies fried, turn the heat off.
Directions for onion tadka: (tadka)
While dal is cooking prepare the onion tadka.
1. Heat small frying pan, add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, chopped onions and minced garlic and sauté them on medium high heat for 5 to 6 minutes or until onions become light brown, while frequently stirring them.
2. Add chopped tomatoes, grated ginger and chopped green chilies and cook.
With the spatula try to mash the tomatoes so that they become soft quickly.
In about 5 to 6 minutes tomatoes will become soft and blend with onions.
Turn the stove off.