PLEASE WATCH THE COMPLETE VIDEO FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE STEPS.

ALWAYS READ THE COMPLETE RECIPE BEFORE STARTING. GATHER INGREDIENTS. ALSO ALWAYS READ THE NOTES FOR MORE OPTIONS AND TIPS.

Preparing the Dal Ingredients for cooking in Instant Pot

• First of all place Toor Dal in a Mixing Bowl and wash it 3 times in the clean room temperature water. Soak it in 1 cup water till ready to be used.
• Now wash all the fresh ingredients in a Colander. Then finely chop onion, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, green chili and cilantro. Set aside

Cooking Dal Fry fresh ingredients on Saute Mode first

• Place the Inner Pot inside the Instant Pot. Press the SAUTE MODE and set on high.
• Once the screen shows HOT, add Ghee (cooking oil for vegan) inside. Wait for 5 seconds and then add Cumin seeds to it and let crackle for 15-20 seconds. 
• Now add finely chopped onions, ginger, garlic, & green chili. Saute for 5-7 minutes till it gets lightly browned. Scrape the bottom if the ingredients stick to the bottom of the pan. 
• Further add finely chopped tomatoes to it. Also add Coriander powder, Turmeric powder, Red chili powder, Salt & Garam Masala.
• Give it a good stir and mix well with Kitchen Stirring Spoon. Cancel the Saute Mode. 
• Drain the water from the soaked dal. Add dal to the pot along with water. Give it a good stir and mix all the ingredients well. Don't forget to scrape the bottom of the pot.

Cooking Dal Tadka on Pressure Cook Mode in Instant Pot

• Now place the lid of the instant pot and lock it. PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for 4 minutes for slightly grainy dal. If you like more creamy texture, then pressure cook for 6 minutes. Follow NPR (natural pressure release). Now open the lid and give a good stir. Your Toor Dal is ready. Meanwhile prepare TADKA.

Preparing Tadka for Dal Tadka

• Take a Small Frying Pan and heat Ghee in it. Now lower the heat to medium and add Asafetida, Dry Red Chilies & Cumin seeds to it. Once the cumin seeds start crackling, add finely chopped onions to it. Saute for about 8-10 minutes till they turn golden brown. Further add finely chopped tomatoes and red chili powder to it. Saute for 2-3 minutes till tomatoes are nicely cooked. Tadka is ready. 

Serving Dal Tadka

• Now add this Tadka to the Cooked Dal. Further add chopped cilantro leaves. Mix well. Squeeze some lemon juice on top. Dal Tadka or Dal Fry is ready. 
• Serve it with some perfefctly cooked Basmati HOT RICE that goes so well with the dal. Add some pickles and cut salad on the side.

GAS TOP RECIPE

• Take a heavy bottom pan and heat ghee in it. Lower the heat to medium and then follow the same instructions of Saute mode from the main recipe above.
• Then add Dal and about 4 cups of water to the pot. Bring it to a boil. Then cook on simmer till done, for about 15-20 minutes depending upon the consistency you like. Make Tadka as described above and add to the dal. Ta-da it is ready!