Urad Dal with Preserved Lemon and Cumin
Urad dal, the small black lentil split to reveal a creamy white interior, cooks down into something deeply satisfying. The preserved lemon cuts through the richness with a sharp, salty brightness that fresh lemon just can't match. Cumin does the heavy lifting on aroma, and a quick tarka poured over the top right before serving ties everything together. Don't stress if the dal looks a bit soupy when it first comes off the heat. It thickens as it sits, so pull it just before it reaches where you want it.