Dal Tenga Assamese Style Tangy Lentil Curry

Quick Info

• Prep: 10 mins
• Cook: 20 mins
• Servings: 4

Ingredient Substitutes

• Elephant apple ? Tamarind
• Mustard oil ? Sunflower oil

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow lentils (masoor/moong dal)
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 elephant apple slice or 2 tbsp tamarind pulp
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp mustard oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups water
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Instructions

1. Wash and boil lentils with turmeric until soft.
2. In a pan, heat mustard oil and crackle mustard seeds.
3. Add chopped tomatoes and saute until soft.
4. Mix in elephant apple pulp or tamarind.
5. Add boiled lentils and simmer 8-10 mins.
6. Garnish with coriander and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

Use mustard oil for authenticity | Elephant apple gives the best sour flavor | Can substitute with tamarind or lemon | Do not overcook lentils | Best eaten fresh

You will love it

Dal Tenga is a light, refreshing vegetarian dish from assam, especially popular in Jorhat households. Unlike heavier lentil curries, it has a sour base made with tomatoes, elephant apple (ou tenga), or lemon juice. The dish is tempered in mustard oil with mustard seeds, turmeric, and green chilies, giving it a distinct assamese flavor. It is often served as part of everyday meals with rice, offering a healthy and tangy option.

Tools Required

FAQ

More recipes from assam

Assam Laksa

A tangy and spicy fish noodle soup from Assam, inspired by Southeast Asian laksa but prepared with local Assamese ingredients.

Khar

A unique alkaline curry made with raw papaya, pulses, and the filtered water of sun-dried banana peel ash, a traditional Assamese delicacy.

Masor Tenga

A light, tangy Assamese fish curry made with tomatoes, elephant apple, or lemon, often enjoyed with steamed rice.

Pitha

A traditional Assamese rice cake, sweet or savory, prepared during Bihu festivals with rice flour, coconut, and jaggery.

Duck Curry

A rich Assamese curry made with duck meat, spiced with black pepper, ginger, and mustard oil, often paired with ash gourd.

Aloo Pitika

A comforting Assamese mashed potato dish flavored with mustard oil, green chilies, and onions, usually eaten with rice.

Pork with Bamboo Shoot

A traditional Assamese tribal dish of slow-cooked pork with fermented bamboo shoot, chilies, and minimal spices for an earthy, smoky flavor.