---
title: 'Moong dal with garlic and cumin tarka'
url: 'https://recipes.spfinch.com/recipes/moong-dal'
markdown: 'https://recipes.spfinch.com/recipes/moong-dal.md'
date: '2022-01-24'
description: 'Meera Sodha An unassuming but gorgeous dal, this is nourishing, cheap and comforting home cooking. Prep < 10 mins Cook 30 mins to 1 hour Serves 4 Ingredients moong dal 300g 4 tbsp ghee or unsalted butter 1½ tsp cumin seeds 3 banana shallots, finely sliced 2 green finger chillies, very thinly sl…'
taxonomy:
  category:
    - indian
    - quick
---

# Moong dal with garlic and cumin tarka

## Moong dal with garlic and cumin tarka

  ![folder](https://recipes.spfinch.com/user/themes/recipes/images/folder.svg) [indian](https://recipes.spfinch.com/recipes/category:indian) | [quick](https://recipes.spfinch.com/recipes/category:quick) ![moong-dal](https://recipes.spfinch.com/user/pages/02.recipes/moong-dal/moong-dal.webp "moong-dal")

[Meera Sodha](https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/jan/24/meera-sodhas-recipe-for-moong-dal-with-a-garlic-and-cumin-tarka)

*An unassuming but gorgeous dal, this is nourishing, cheap and comforting home cooking.*

Prep < 10 mins
Cook 30 mins to 1 hour
Serves 4

Ingredients

**moong dal 300g
4 tbsp ghee** or unsalted butter
**1½ tsp cumin seeds
3 banana shallots**, finely sliced
**2 green finger chillies**, very thinly sliced
**5 cloves garlic**, crushed
**½ tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1½ tsp salt** (or to taste)

*to serve*
basmati rice or naan bread
pickle
yoghurt

Method

1. Wash the dal until the water runs clear, then drain, place in a deep saucepan and cover with 1½ litres of water.
2. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, until tender.
3. Meanwhile, put the ghee or butter into a frying pan over a medium heat and, when hot, add the cumin seeds and shallots. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the green chillies and garlic. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until the shallots start to brown, then add the turmeric and garam masala.
4. Tip into the dal and stir, then add the salt. You might need to add a little extra hot water to make the dal a bit thinner.
5. Check the seasoning, and serve with plain basmati rice or naan bread, together with some pickle and yoghurt.

---

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---

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