Tarka is the spice mix with oil that you make to put on your daal. Was that what you were referring to? Usually, daal is boiled and spices and oil added later. You add the ghee to a hot pan, add your seeds, powders and fresh spices and then dump the hot mix into your nearly cooked daal. This makes a nice sizzle. Some places call it a chonk and others tarka (sp?)