- Clean, wash, soak dal for 15 minutes. Boil in 5 cups water, adding turmeric and salt. Either pressure cook or boil till just soft. Drain water. Heat ghee in a heavy saucepan. Add cinnamon,cloves,cardamom,bay leaf broken coarsely, and cumin seeds. Allow to splutter, add onions. Stirfry till light brown. Add dal, lemon juice, masalas. Stir gently. Take care not to mash up dal too much. Garnish with coriander. Serve hot.