Thick Punjabi Style Toor Dal (Bada Dana)

Why this works

Bada dana holds texture better, so this becomes thicker and more filling.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Toor Dal (Bada Dana)
• 3 cups water
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• Salt

For Tadka:

• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp jeera
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pinch hing
• Fresh coriander

Method

1. Wash and soak dal for 20–30 mins (important for bada dana)
2. Pressure cook with turmeric (4 whistles)
3. In pan, heat ghee
4. Add jeera + bay leaf + hing
5. Add onion → cook till golden
6. Add ginger-garlic + tomato + spices
7. Add cooked dal and simmer 5–7 mins
8. Garnish with coriander

Taste Result

• Thick and rich
• Slight bite in grains
• Perfect with rice and ghee