Lemon dal is made with boiled masoor dal and needs very few ingredients like radhuni, turmeric powder, green chilies and salt. Traditionally cooked in mustard oil, the dal is first boiled with a little bit of salt, turmeric powder and green chili. It is then cooked with the other ingredients, finishing it off with juice, leaves, and slices of lemon, preferably of Gondhoraj. Go through my simple recipe to learn the steps to make lemon dal at home.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Lemon dal is very popular in Eastern regions of India and is widely consumed during the summer months.
- Serve it hot with steamed rice or roti.
- Lemon dal taste slightly tangy, savory and earthy.
- Other similar recipes are lemon rasam, tamarind dal, and raw mango dal.
The Ingredients:
To boil the dal:
- ½ cup masoor dal
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 piece green chili (whole)
To cook the dal:
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- 1 piece dry red chili (whole)
- ½ tsp radhuni (crushed)
- 1 cup water
- 2 pieces green chilies (slit or whole)
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp sugar (optional)
- 1 piece lemon (gondhoraj, cut into longitudinal pieces and small slices)
- 2 pieces lemon leaves (torn into smaller pieces)
I learned to make lemon dal from my mother in my childhood. She used to make it often during summer and loved it very much. She taught me the steps and also said that adding lemon leaves, is a rather unique way to boost the taste and flavor of the dal.
After marriage, when I took over cooking from my mother-in-law and made it for the first time here, it was appreciated by all. Since then, I make it often and now my sons find it unique every time. It is such a lovely feeling. I wonder how simple ingredients can create such unique dishes!
How to Make Lemon Dal? (Step by Step Guide with Images)
Step 1: Wash ½ cup of masoor dal. Boil it in a pressure cooker up to 3 to 4 whistles with ½ tsp of salt, ¼ tsp of turmeric powder and one whole green chili.
Step 2: Fry one whole dry red chili and ½ tsp of radhuni, crushed by hand, in 1 tbsp of mustard oil for 20 seconds.
Step 3: Add the boiled dal and a cup of water.
Step 4: Add 2 pieces of green chilies (slit or whole), ¼ tsp of turmeric powder, ½ tsp of salt, and ¼ tsp of sugar (optional).
Step 5: Squeeze lemon juice and add 2 pieces of lemon leaves (torn into smaller pieces). Mix and cook for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Switch off the flame and add 4 pieces of lemon slices. Cover and let it rest for 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer it to a serving bowl.
Step 7: Your tasty and flavorful homemade lemon dal is ready.
Recipe Card
Lemon Dal | Gondhoraj Dal | Lebu Dal | Nimbu Dal
Ingredients
To boil the dal:
- ½ cup masoor dal
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 piece green chili whole
To cook the dal:
- 1 tbsp mustard oil
- 1 piece dry red chili whole
- ½ tsp radhuni crushed
- 1 cup water
- 2 pieces green chilies slit or whole
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp sugar optional
- 1 piece lemon gondhoraj, cut into longitudinal pieces and small slices
- 2 pieces lemon leaves torn into smaller pieces
Instructions
- Wash ½ cup of masoor dal. Boil it in a pressure cooker up to 3 to 4 whistles with ½ tsp of salt, ¼ tsp of turmeric powder and one whole green chili.
- Fry one whole dry red chili and ½ tsp of radhuni, crushed by hand, in 1 tbsp of mustard oil for 20 seconds.
- Add the boiled dal and a cup of water.
- Add 2 pieces of green chilies (slit or whole), ¼ tsp of turmeric powder, ½ tsp of salt, and ¼ tsp of sugar (optional).
- Squeeze lemon juice and add 2 pieces of lemon leaves (torn into smaller pieces). Mix and cook for 5 minutes.
- Switch off the flame and add 4 pieces of lemon slices. Cover and let it rest for 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer it to a serving bowl.
- Your tasty and flavorful homemade lemon dal is ready.
