Ok this is exactly not a mandatory item on the list for Basic ones in Indian Cooking. But I would rather think so. Though cooking toor dal in pressure cooker takes about 10 minutes, having cooked dal on hand is much more convenient. Especially when you are hard pressed to dish up something quick for yourself or for making rasam, this comes so handy.
Toor dal is like an everyday affair at home. Dal or Sambar is always on the menu and Rasam is mandatory. Indian Basics for Cooking is a series where I have tried showcase those basic ingredients or dishes that are very essential for whipping out a quick dish. And having cooked dal at hand surely falls in that category!
Cooked Toor Dal
Ingredients
- 1 cup Toor Dal
- 3 cups Water
- A pinch Turmeric powder
- A pinch Asafoetida
- Cooking Oil few drops
Instructions
- Wash the dal well and add 3 cups of water. Add turmeric, hing and oil to the dal.
- Pressure cook for 4 -5 whistles or till the lentil is cooked well. Drain the water to use in Rasam or Sambar.
- Store the thick dal in an air tight container for a week.
- Remove what is needed and quickly put it back. There is no need to freeze it if you want to use within a week.
Do share what other such common dishes that you make?
Check out quick ideas Sandwich fillings for your kids!
Neha says
I have an idea..we can make stuffed parathas out of the dried cooked toor dal! it is called "dal bhari poori" in North India and is very tasty
Hamaree Rasoi says
Very nice looking Toor Daal. Loved the color. Must have tasted great.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Jaya Wagle says
I used to cook toor dal for a week and keep it in the fridge. I posted the one stop dal of "do the tadka with tomatoes and sambhar powder, sometimes methi or palak added on, and just pressure cook". Of course, then I have a cooker to wash everyday.
My basic is ginger, garlic, green chili and cilantro paste in the fridge.
Priya (Yallapantula) Mitharwal says
Love toor dal.
Jay says
very useful post Sri...
Love to try this.
Mythreyi Dilip says
Thats a useful post dear, i never thought that the cooked dal will be good for a week without refregiration. Will try it dear:)
Rachana says
I too make it exactly same way! A very helpful tip too!
Divya Vikram says
My fav! Loved the MW dal recipe too 🙂
Srivalli says
Mythreyi, I said you don't have freeze it but you sure got to refrigerate it.
Parita says
I too make it in exactly same way but serve with a dollop of ghee...oh its mind blowing!
Jaya Wagle says
Valli,
Inspired by your basics technique I just announced an event on my blog. And yes, I attached a link giving your blog and this post the credit. 🙂
Nithya says
Wow.. if it can stay for a week, then its surely gonna be a very useful tip 🙂
lata raja says
I was timing the cooking of thuvar dhal this morning in the microwave:) It is a coincidence you've posted one basics!
Sanjeeta kk says
Time saving tip for lazy mom like me 😀
Priya says
I do this often and freeze them, sambar will get ready within in few seconds coz of this cooked toor dal..
GEETHA ACHAL says
Kids love to eat it...I too Like it...
Vidhya says
Hi Srivalli,
This is my frist time visit. You have a wonderful space.. Nice recipes...great tips on basic cooking..Glad to follow you.
Shriya says
Wow, totally a new information for me. Nice post.
AdukalaVishesham says
good post can be used in so many variations... one of the must in Indian cuisine
Sukanya Ramkumar says
Such a versatile tip...
The Housewife says
There's nothing better than simple dal with steaming hot chawal or rotis! This is a good starter dish!
cfayogi says
How do you make toor dal without using a pressure cooker? I just tried making it and after 2 hours of cooking it was still crunchy? is that bad dal? or are 2+ hours required for adequate cooking?
Thx.
Srivalli says
cfayogiIts been ages since I actually cooked Toor dal in a regular way. I have seen my mother cooking it directly on stove top in a pan. But I remember it taking quite some time of cooking.
But surely not 2 hrs. If a simple dal takes 2 hrs, then I am sure we can never make a meal on time...:)
If you don't want to use Pressure cooker, try soaking the dal in hot water with lid covered for 30 mins, then cook in lots of water, say for 1 cup dal, use 3 -4 cups of water. let the water start rolling (boiling well) then simmer and cook with a lid covered for about 20 mins.
This should get your dal cooked well.
Pls do try this method and let me know. I am only guessing on the quality of dal you saying, But it should not take this much time also.
Will try it myself and update this space.
thanks
Sush says
even I do it at times.., but never tried for a week. I kept it once for 3 days!. That was the max.