1 cup of dal will usually suffice 2 people. If you like your dal a little thin, then ½ cup of dal might be enough for 2 people.

Identifying the Dals

My post on Lentils and Legumes, gives detailed information, with pictures and description of several varieties to help you understand and identify the various dals.

The Pressure-Cooker Method

Ingredients:
1 cup tuvar dal, dhuli mung or dhuli masoor dal
2½ cups water
1 Tomato (optional)
A pinch of hing/ asafetida
1 tsp haldi/ turmeric powder
½ tsp chili powder
Salt
Method:

• Wash the dal once.
• Put the dal into the pressure cooker and add the water. Add turmeric powder, chili powder and asafetida.
• Cook on high flame until the first whistle.
• TIME: Reduce the flame to minimum and cook for 5 minutes.

OR

• WHISTLE: Cook on high flame till second whistle, and then reduce flame and cook till third whistle.
• Open the pressure cooker, add chopped tomato and some more water if necessary, and then simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Optionally, you may heat some ghee or butter, add a few cumin or mustard seeds until they splutter, and then pour it into the dal. This adds a delicious flavour.

The Open Cooking Method

I strongly recommend soaking the dals overnight if you plan to open-cook it, since otherwise, the dals take a long time to cook, over half an hour.

• Wash the dal
• Put the dal into the vessel and add about 4-5 times the water.
• Cook on high flame until it begins boiling and then reduce the flame.
• Let it simmer until the dal and water seem to blend with each other, about 30-40 min.
• Add salt, turmeric and chilli powder, and season with mustard or cumin seeds as described above.

The Microwave Method

Proportions:
1 cup rice
2½ cups water
Method:

• Wash the dal.
• Put the dal and water in a microwavable dish.
• Cover and cook on HIGH for about 20 minutes.
• Check in the middle and add more water if needed