Sugar-Free Arhar Ki Dal (Toor Dal)

Experience the wholesome goodness of Sugar-Free Arhar Ki Dal (Toor Dal), a comforting and nutritious Indian lentil dish that’s perfect for any meal. Made with tender, pressure-cooked toor dal infused with aromatic spices like cumin, mustard seeds, and curry leaves, this recipe is a delightful blend of rich, earthy flavors with a hint of tanginess from fresh lemon juice. Offering a healthy twist by being completely sugar-free, it’s a guilt-free way to enjoy traditional Indian cuisine. This dal comes together with simple ingredients and features a flavorful onion-tomato masala base enhanced by garlic, ginger, and green chilies for a subtle kick. Ready in under an hour, it pairs beautifully with steamed rice or warm flatbreads, making it a versatile and satisfying dish for your everyday meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Toor dal (split pigeon peas)
• 3 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Oil (sunflower or vegetable)
• 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 0.25 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
• 2 Dried red chilies
• 10 Curry leaves
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 1 Tomato, finely chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ginger, grated
• 2 Green chilies, slit
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
• 2 tablespoons Cilantro (fresh coriander), chopped
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the toor dal under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it in enough water for about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Drain the soaked dal and add it to a pressure cooker along with 3 cups of water and turmeric powder.

Step 3

Close the lid and cook the dal on medium heat. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles or until the dal is soft and mushy.

Step 4

Once the pressure releases, open the lid, mash the dal slightly and set it aside.

Step 5

In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.

Step 6

Add the cumin seeds, asafoetida, dried red chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté them briefly until the curry leaves are crisp.

Step 7

Add the chopped onion and sauté until it turns golden brown.

Step 8

Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and slit green chilies. Cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.

Step 9

Add the chopped tomato and cook until it becomes soft and mushy.

Step 10

Stir in the coriander powder, cumin powder, and salt. Cook the masala for 2-3 minutes.

Step 11

Pour the cooked and mashed dal into the pan with the masala. Mix well and adjust the consistency with additional water if needed.

Step 12

Let the dal simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 13

Stir in the chopped cilantro and lemon juice just before serving.

Step 14

Serve hot garnished with additional cilantro, if desired, and enjoy with rice or flatbread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1373.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1007.1

Total Fat 8.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2459.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 191.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 53.3g	0%
Total Sugars 18.0g
Protein 58.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 712.6mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 5016.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 7.0%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 71.2%