One pot recipes are the best! That's why you'll love this Tadka dal (tempered dal) recipe - make it in an Instant Pot or a pressure cooker - and you'll have your meal ready in no time.
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pressure cooker. Add mustard seeds and as they begin to splutter add curry leaves, asafoetida, dried chilies, and garlic.
After 10 seconds or so add cut tomatoes, onions, green chilies, turmeric powder, and salt. Fry it for a min. [ Note: It doesn’t need to be fried well like other dishes and a little saute and you are done]
Wash the dal well and add it to the cooker and add 2.5 cups of water. Close cooker and wait till the vent goes off 4 times [ Note: Every cooker works differently and mine takes that long to get the dal nicely cooked]
Shut the gas off and allow to cool naturally.
Open cooker and mix well and then garnish it with coriander leaves.
Instant Pot method
Add oil to the steel insert of the Instant Pot and press the Saute function. Press the Adjust button to move the selection to “low” and wait till the display reads “Hot.” Add mustard seeds and as they begin to splutter add curry leaves, dried chilies, asafoetida, and garlic.
After 10 seconds or so add cut tomatoes, onions, green chilies, turmeric powder, and salt. Fry it for a min. [ Note: It doesn’t need to be fried well like other dishes and a little saute and you are done]
Wash the dal and add it to the steel insert along with 2.5 cups of water. Press “Warm / Cancel” button and then select “Pressure Cook.” Adjust the time to 15 minutes and set the pressure selection to high. Cover the Instant Pot lid and lock it. Make sure the vent is at sealing position. Allow to naturally release pressure. Return the vent to the venting position, open the Instant pot lid and garnish it with coriander leaves before serving.
Notes
Variation - Alternatively, you can temper the dal after it is cooked.