Instant Pot Split Pea Dal

Course: Entrees, Soups
Difficulty: Easy
Pulse Type: Dry Peas
Specialty Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Occasion: Instant Pot
Category: Feeling Stuck at Home? Travel the World From Your Kitchen with Pulses, Slow Cooker Recipes, Split Pea Soup Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients

Dal:

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic finely grated
  • 2 tbsp ginger peeled and finely grated
  • 2 tsp coriander ground
  • 1 tsp turmeric ground
  • 1 tsp cumin ground
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups split peas dried; rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 tomatoes chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Serving:

  • 1/4 cup cilantro fresh; chopped, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/2 cup yogurt Greek; plain (omit to make recipe vegan)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • rice, basmati cooked

Quick Pickled Onions:

  • 1 small onion red; very thinly sliced into rounds, rinsed
  • 1 lime zested and juiced
  • pinch sugar

Instructions

  1. Set Instant Pot to SAUTE, add heat the oil. Add onions and a pinch of salt and sauté until softened, 5-7 minutes.
  2. Stir in garlic, ginger, coriander, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Hit the CANCEL button and add split peas, water, tomatoes, salt and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the Instant Pot.
  4. Cover and seal the lid - turn the vent to sealing. Press the MANUAL (high pressure) button and set the timer to 10 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes for Instant Pot to come to full pressure, then the display will show a countdown timer.
  5. Meanwhile, make your toppings.
  6. In a small bowl, combine lime zest and juice, red onion, sugar, and a large pinch of salt. Massage the onion for 1 minute to help it soften.
  7. Mix yogurt and 2 Tbsp. water in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  8. Once the 10 minutes are up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.
  9. Open the lid, stir in the cilantro and season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.
  10. Serve dal over rice drizzled with yogurt and topped with pickled onion and additional cilantro.