Easy Homemade Pakistani Masoor Dal Recipe: Comfort Food in Minutes!

Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. In a pot, combine the rinsed lentils with 3 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Bring to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the lentils simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until they are soft and fully cooked. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

While lentils are simmering, prepare the tempering (tarka). In a separate small pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until golden brown. Then add ginger paste, garlic paste, and green chilies, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add chopped tomatoes to the tempering pan along with red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook for 3-5 minutes, mashing the tomatoes, until the oil separates and the mixture forms a thick paste. This is your flavorful tarka.

Pour the prepared tarka directly into the pot of cooked lentils. Stir well to combine all the flavors. Let it simmer together for another 2-3 minutes.

Garnish with fresh chopped coriander. Serve hot with rice, naan, or roti. Enjoy your homemade Pakistani Masoor Dal!