I started with Manjula's (I'm a huge fan), but I just can't get it right Every time I try it just tastes like lentils in spicy water, there's no cohesion.
The traditional recipes are quite liquid, compared to what you might get in a restaurant. I would have a go and maybe halve the water. 4 cups to 1 cup of dal is quite a lot.
Do you pressure cook it or just use a normal pan? With a pressure cooker, you get as much out as you put in, so that recipe would be watery. If you are using a normal pan, it would be easy to splash in more water from the kettle if it started looking like it was drying out.
when I have curry munchies
Just reading that recipe has got mine going again