Arhar dal {Yellow split peas / Toovar dal} with spicy tempering

Ingredients

1/2 cup masoor dal, picked and rinsed in cold running water

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil for tempering

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 – 1 tsp red chili powder

Fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or mint or parsley to garnish (optional)

Lime juice (optional)

Preparation

In a pot, add the cleaned dal along with 2-3 cups of water. Add 1/2 tsp salt and turmeric. Let it boil on medium high. Keep checking after every 7-10 mins to add more water when getting dry. It takes around 30 minutes to get fully cooked. When you touch dal, it should be soft to touch and should mush around easily. You know, it is ready to eat. You can add more water once done, according to desired consistency. Give it a good boil again. Keep aside. Taste salt and adjust.

It tastes best if you do tempering just before serving as it retains the maximum flavor and aroma. In a small pot, add ghee or coconut oil . Once hot, to it add cumin seeds. Watch out, they will splutter. Once they finish spluttering, lower the flame and add red chili powder. Cook for 3-5 seconds and turn off the gas. Watch out as red chili powder burns very quickly. Pour it over hot dal.

I also like adding few drops of lemon or lime juice to my dal. It is upto preference.