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Lemon Dal Andhra Style Recipe | Nimmakaya Pappu

Lemon Dal Andhra Style Recipe | Nimmakaya Pappu

blessmyfoodbypayal
Lemon Dal Andhra Style is a light, tangy, and subtly spicy dish that adds freshness, comfort, and vibrant flavors to everyday meals.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Andhra Pradesh
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

1 cup = 250 ml

FOR COOKING DAL

  • 1 Cup Tuar Dal/Pigeon Pea lentils (or yellow moong dal or Masoor dal)
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2.5 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chilli powder (or as much you like)
  • Salt to taste

FOR TEMPERING/TADKA

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1/4 tsp asafoetida/hing
  • 1/4 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
  • 3 Garlic cloves (chopped)
  • 2 green chilies (or as much you like)
  • 2 dry red chilies (or as much you like)
  • 8-10 curry leaves
  • 2 tbsp coriander leaves

Instructions
 

COOKING OF DAL

  • Wash dal and add to pressure cooker along with water and turmeric powder. You can boil the dal in pan as well but it will take longer to cook.
  • Pressure cook for 5-6 whistles and then switch off the heat. In case cooking in a pan, cook till dal turns soft and mushy.
  • When the pressure releases on its own, open the lid. Add salt and red chilli powder.
  • Mix and mash the dal well.
  • Let the dal cool down. You can either wait till it's completely cool or atleast till it is just warm.
  • Once cool, add lemon juice and mix.

MAKING OF TEMPERING

  • Heat oil in a small pan and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing, garlic and dry red chilies.
  • Saute on low heat until garlic turns brown.
  • Off the heat and add green chilies and curry leaves. Saute for couple of seconds.
  • Add this tempering/tadka in dal and mix.
  • Heat the dal and serve with steamed rice [after drizzling desi ghee (traditional way) - however we didn't].

Notes

  1. Either using Tuvar dal, Yellow Moong dal or Masoor dal, cooking process and rest of the ingredients will remain the same.
  2. It's very important to wait for dal to cool down or atleast come to warm to add lemon juice. Adding lemon juice to the extremely hot dal will turn the dal bitter.
  3. At any stage you can adjust the consistency of dal by adding hot water.
  4. Don't discard the peels of lemon after squeezing them. Try out this amazing lemon peel pickle.
Keyword authentic andhra style lemon dal, khatto dal, lemon dal, nimbu wali dal