Beginner’s Guide to Making Daal

Here's your basic framework 

01 Use 1 cup daal to 3 cups water

02 2:2:1 seasoning ratio for salt, red chili powder and turmeric powder

03 Add lentils and 2 cups water to pot. Bring to boil. Lower to simmer and cover until lentils are soft. Mash with wooden spoon to give it a creamy consistency, add remaining 1 cup water, cover and let it cook for another 20 minutes.

04 Top with tadka or tempered spices of your choice.  Tadka can be onions, garlic, cumin seeds, kadi pata, mustard seeds, dried chilies or a combination of the above! Fry oil in a saucepan. Add any of the above, and fry until aromatic. Pour over daal. 

Serve hot with plain basmati rice!