Dal Fry

Wash all dals in running water. Mix and soak them in water for 10 minutes. Drain water after 10 minutes and transfer to pressure cooker (3-5 liter size). Add salt and 1½ cup water in pressure cooker and pressure-cook them over high flame. When 1 whistle is over, reduce flame to medium and cook for another 3 whistles. step-1 Do not open its lid immediately. Let it cool for 7-8 minutes or until pressure comes down naturally. This process is not only for the safety but also required to cook dal properly. Open the lid and keep cooked dal aside until needed. Do not blend or mash them. step-2 Now prepare spicy sauté. Heat ghee in a pan over medium flame. When it is hot enough to sauté, add cumin seeds, red dried chillies, cinnamon and cloves. When seeds begin to crackle, add chopped onion and stir-fry over medium flame until it turns light brown or for approx. 1 minute. step-3 Add crushed ginger, crushed garlic and finely chopped green chilli; sauté for 20-30 seconds. step-4 Add finely chopped tomatoes and salt (only required to soften tomatoes); cook until tomatoes turn tender. step-5 Add garam masala, coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder; mix them properly. Add pressure-cooked dals; mix and cook for a minute. step-6 Add lemon juice, 3/4 cup water and cook on medium flame for 4-5 minutes. Stir in between occasionally to prevent sticking. l_step Turn off flame and transfer prepared daal to bowl. Garnish it with finely chopped coriander leaves.