Daal Chawal is comfort food at best. It’s cheap, filling and and full of good nutrients. I’m sharing my Instant Pot version of this delicious daal, which comes together in literally no time at all!
Benefits of Lentils
Lentils are rich in fiber, iron and protein and perfect for you if you are on a clean eating journey. Growing up, I had daal (the red and green variety) almost weekly. This makes for a great lunch and the instant pot cuts down the cooking time even more.
Instant Pot Daal Chawal
This is the perfect Instant Pot lentil recipe. It's quick to prep and so comforting!
Servings: 5
Ingredients
Daal
- 1 cup red lentil Masoor, rinsed well
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp red chili you can add more to the tadka to taste
- 4 cups water
- salt to taste
Tadka/Temper/Bhagar
- 3-4 tbsp oil the quantity is up to you
- 2 red button chili whole
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
Instructions
- In your Instant Pot, add lentils, water, turmeric and red chilli powder and pressure cook on high for 6 minutes with the valve sealed.
- Once done, release pressure, add salt to taste and adjust the consistency of the daal. If the daal is too thin for your taste, cook it down a bit on "saute" mode. If you like it more watery, add more water. When you reach the desired consistency, set the instant pot to low.
Tadka
- In a pan, heat up oil, add cumin and allow it to crackle a bit. Then add the button chilli and garlic cloves. Let the garlic get golden brown, then add a pinch of red chilli powder.
- Swirl the tadka in the pan for 30 seconds and pour on the daal. Give it a gentle stir and cover with a glass lid (not the pressure cooker lid otherwise pressure will start building). Let the daal steep in the tadka for 3-4 minutes.
- Serve with Basmati rice and some aam/gajar ka achar!
Notes
- When releasing pressure, you can do a quick release but if the daal splatters, then wait for the pressure to release naturally
- Tadka ingredients are up to you. You can add slices onion and curry leaves as well.
- keep your daal on low setting when ready to pour the tadka.
