Name: Papad wali Dal (vegan, gluten-free, healthyish)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups toor dal / split pigeon peas; 4 1/2 cups water you can add more later; 1/2 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp salt; 3 tbsp avocado oil you can use less oil (try 2 tbsp); 1/2 tsp turmeric powder; 1/8 tsp hing; 2 tsp cumin seeds; 1 1/2 tsp ajwain / carom seeds; 2 tsp coriander powder; 1 tsp garam masala; 4 dry red chilies (split in half); 1/4 tsp red chili powder; 1 tsp amchoor / mango powder; 8 cloves garlic (chopped); salt to taste (if need be); 1/2 tsp amchoor / mango powder; small handful fresh cilantro leaves (chopped); 3 papads (baked)

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Papad wali Dal recipe with step by step pictures. Papad wali Dal is garlicky and prepared with split pigeon peas, water, papad, and lots of spices. It’s comfort food that’s healthy too!

Growing up I hated Dal

You guys know growing up I hated dal, like despised it. I vividly remember sitting with a dal bowl in front of me and being forced to finish it, the very thought of it makes me cringe. My mom always made dal without tadka (tempering) due to my dad’s health, and so I didn’t even know tadka existed until I was in my 20s.

When I’d go to family parties, dal was always on the menu, and I would always skip it. I just assumed it was boring and blah without tadka. Now that I know tadka exists, I always add a good tadka to all my dals. Enter, Papad wali Dal.

What is Papad wali Dal?

To be honest, I’m not sure Papad wali Dal is a thing. I just happened to make Toor dal Tadka which is prepared with split pigeon peas, water, and spices, and then I happened to add baked papad and loads of garlic to the dish. It turned out even better than the original Toor dal Tadka. If you’re looking for something slightly different than the usual dal, give my Papad wali Dal a try. It’s serious comfort food when paired with a bowl of rice, and healthy too!

Papad wali Dal is:

Delicious
Comforting
Flavorful
Healthyish
Gluten-Free
Vegan
Nutritious

How to make Papad wali Dal recipe step by step?

for the dal / lentils

1. Soak split piegon pea lentils in warm water for 15 minutes.
2. Combine the toor dal ingredients… lentils, water, turmeric powder, and 1 tsp salt in the Instant Pot.
3. Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 8 minutes. Natural Release for 10 minutes.

prepare the tadka / tempering.

1. Once the dal is done, you’ll need all your spices for the tempering and chopped garlic.
2. Heat up a small pot on medium heat, once hot add oil. Let the oil heat up and then add all the spices and garlic. Temper for about 30-45 seconds max. Make sure the garlic doesn’t’ burn.
3. Pour the tadka over the dal. Mix well.

for garnish

1. Adjust salt. Add mango powder and fresh cilantro leaves.
2. Heat up papad over the stove, in the toaster oven, or in the microwave. You will need 3-4 papads.
3. Break the papad into large pieces. I added 3 papads to my dal.
4. Mix well. The heat will soften the papad immediately.

Serve with white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. Feel free to add yogurt and achaar as well.

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Papad wali Dal (vegan, gluten-free, healthyish)

Papad wali Dal is garlicky and prepared with split pigeon peas, water, papad, and lots of spices. It's comfort food that's healthy too!

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Diet Vegan, Gluten-Free, Healthyish

Servings: servings

Calories: 317kcal

Author: Nisha

Ingredients

for Toor Dal / Split Pigeon Peas

1 1/2 cups toor dal / split pigeon peas
4 1/2 cups water you can add more later
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp salt

for the tadka / tempering

3 tbsp avocado oil you can use less oil try 2 tbsp
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/8 tsp hing
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 1/2 tsp ajwain / carom seeds
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp garam masala
4 dry red chilies split in half
1/4 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp amchoor / mango powder
8 cloves garlic chopped

for garnish

salt to taste if need be
1/2 tsp amchoor / mango powder
small handful fresh cilantro leaves chopped
3 papads baked