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Dahi Tadka is an easy yet delicious dish that marries tangy yoghurt with aromatic spices of tempering.
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Begin by using 1 cup of thick Greek yoghurt or hung curd.
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Let's prepare the tempering. Begin by heating one tablespoon of oil or ghee in a small pan over medium heat.
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Add one Tsp of cumin seeds once the oil or ghee is warm. Let them splutter for a few seconds, releasing their earthy aroma into the oil.
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The cumin seeds are the base of the tadka and will infuse the oil with a warm, nutty flavour.
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Add three cloves of minced garlic to the pan.
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The garlic will soon start crackling and getting brown, infusing your kitchen with its fragrance.
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Following the browning of the garlic, add one stalk of curry leaves to the pan.
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Curry leaves introduce an aromatic flavour and are diligently used in South Indian cuisine.
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Toss in 1 dry red chilli with the curry leaves.
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Add a pinch of hing to the hot oil.
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Add ¼ Tsp turmeric powder after the hing. Though turmeric imparts a bright yellow colour to the tadka, it still possesses a warm and slightly peppery taste that balances out the richness of yoghurt.
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Use 1 Tsp of red chilli powder with turmeric. Taste and adjust according to your preference for how hot you like your dahi tadka using either more or less red chilli powder.
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Now that you've added all of the spices let the tadka simmer for a second or two, just long enough for the flavours to mingle.
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Taste the tadka to make sure that the seasoning is well-balanced.
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If salt is needed, add it to taste.
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The tempering is now ready to spoon over the yoghurt.
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Pour the prepared Greek yoghurt into a bowl, and directly pour the hot tadka mixture over it.
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The sizzling hot tadka hitting the cold yoghurt will make loud crackling noises, releasing all aromatic oils and spices from it into the yoghurt.
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Well, mix both yoghurt and tadka so that the spice mixture gets evenly coated with the yoghurt.
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Dahi tadka would only require a sprinkle of 2 tablespoons of fresh coriander leaves or cilantro for colour and freshness.
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The recipe of Dahi tadka can be served with parathas, rice, chapati, or even as a cooling accompaniment to spicy curries. The combination of creamy yoghurt and fragrant tempering makes it a balancing and contrasting dish for any Indian meal.