About this easy Indian yellow split peas recipe
One of the best things about yellow split pea dal recipe(Matar dal) is that it’s super easy to make. All you need is a bag of yellow split peas, some spices, and a few basic ingredients. Cook the dal on the stove top or in instant pot pressure cooker. In the meanwhile, make a flavourful onion tomato base. Add the cooked dal to this mixture along with some spinach. Garnish with fresh coriander and enjoy a comforting homemade yellow dal in minutes. Cooking in the instant pot or any other pressure cooker will save you time from soaking the dal and longer cooking time. So its almost instant and you don’t need any planning too. Our Dal is as such vegan and can be enjoyed with flatbread or brown basmati rice.
Ingredients for Matar Dal
Yellow split peas: It is the key ingredient in this dal. Naturally high in protein, fibre, various vitamins and minerals. Want to use something else instead - use Red Lentils, Masoor Dal or Toor dal. Onion: Red Onion or White onion is used in this recipe to create a flavourful base for the dal. Tomato: A combination of tomato paste and fresh tomatoes are used in this recipe to give a sweet and tangy flavour to the dish. Ginger garlic: A combination of fresh ginger and garlic is used in this recipe to add a warm, aromatic flavour to the dal. You can also use ready made ginger garlic paste instead. Chilli: Chilli adds a spicy kick to the dish. You can adjust the amount of green chilli and red chilli powder according to your taste preference. Spices: A combination of spices including turmeric, chilli powder, cumin, coriander, and asafoetida are used to give the dal its unique flavour. Spinach or any other greens: Fresh spinach are added to the dal to provide extra nutrition and a pop of green colour. You can also use any other greens such as kale, methi or dill in the recipe. Fresh cilantro / coriander: It adds a bright, fresh flavour and a pop of green colour. Lemon: or lime juice helps to balance out the richness of the dal.
How to make Instant Pot Split peas dal?
The recipe is exactly same as cooking on the stove top. You can save the time for soaking and cooking faster in the Instant Pot pressure cooker or any other stove top pressure cooker. Packed with flavour: The onion tomato masala adds a depth of flavour in this dal. Healthy and nutritious: Yellow split peas are a great source of protein, fibre, and other important nutrients, making this dal recipe a healthy and nourishing choice. Dietary needs: Vegan and can be made gluten-free by leaving out asafoetida, making it a great option for anyone with dietary restrictions. Versatile:Serve it with rice or other grains, with naan bread or roti, as a topping for baked potatoes, or as a soup. In a pot, add the split peas, water, and turmeric. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the peas are tender. Now whisk the dal to break it down a bit. PS - If you are using manual pressure cooker, place the lid and cook for 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes and stir. Next add the cooked split peas to the onion tomato masala and season with salt. Bring it to a boil and then add chopped spinach if desired. Simmer for 5 minutes. Finally, add some lemon juice to brighten up the flavours and garnish with fresh coriander, if desired. Serve hot with rice or naan bread. To cook yellow split pea dal in an Instant Pot, rinse the dal and add it to the pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes before manually releasing the rest. Whisk the dal to a smooth consistency and thin it out with water if needed. While the dal cooks, make the masala sauce by heating oil in a pan and adding a teaspoon cumin seeds, onion, ginger garlic, and green chilli. Cook for a few minutes, then add chopped tomatoes and paste, water, and ground spices. Cook for 2-3 more minutes. Combine the dal with the onion tomato masala, season with salt, and add chopped spinach if desired. Simmer for 5 minutes, then serve hot with rice or naan bread. Garnish with fresh coriander if desired.
What to serve with Yellow split pea dal?
Serve with brown rice, white basmati rice or other grains like quinoa or couscous. This creates a balanced and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve with naan bread, yogurt flatbread or roti: They’re perfect for mopping up all the flavourful sauce and adding a little extra something to the dish.
Storing leftover Indian Yellow split peas dal
Fridge: Store leftover dal in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days once cooled down. Divide dal into smaller portions for easier reheating later on. Freezer: Storing leftover dal in the freezer is a great option if you want to keep it for a longer period of time or for batch freezing. Freeze leftover dal in portions in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Reheat: When reheating frozen dal, it’s best to thaw it in the fridge overnight. You can also reheat frozen dal directly on the stove or in the microwave.
What is Yellow split peas dal?
Yellow split dal is a type of lentil commonly used in Indian cuisine. It is made by splitting yellow mung beans and is rich in protein and dietary fibre. Yellow split dal is often used in soups, stews, and curries
Can you freeze yellow split peas dal?
Yes, you can freeze yellow split peas dal, especially if you’re batch cooking. It’s a convenient way to have ready-made meals on hand. Just make sure to cool the dal to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can you make tarka dal with yellow split peas dal?
Tarka dal is typically made with split lentils like masoor dal or toor dal, but it can also be made with yellow split peas dal. Substitute Yellow peas for Masoor dal in this recipe for Tarka dal.
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