Dal

Have you ever wondered what masoor dal might have tasted like before modern ingredients like tomatoes, chilies, and onions became common? I wanted to explore that idea, so I made a version of masoor dal using only ingredients that would have been available in ancient India. The result? A dish that’s warm, earthy, and packed […]

Gujarati Dal Dhokli is a warm and comforting Indian lentil soup featuring homemade dumplings. The dish balances tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors, making it a classic Gujarati comfort food. This is my family’s traditional recipe, adapted for the Instant Pot. I’ll share some pointers to simplify the recipe for those who do not have all […]

A bowl of khichdi made just right is like a big, warm, comforting hug. Whenever I’m feeling under the weather or a little down, khichdi is the meal that hits all the right spots. With only 5 ingredients, it takes little effort to assemble and is ready in about 20 minutes. It’s a classic dish […]

Methi dal is an excellent dal made similar to moong dal tadka but with the added twist of fresh fenugreek leaves. The fenugreek gives it a distinct aromatic and savory flavor with a slightly bitter note. This is a dish I’ve had at dhabas in India that I have started making for my family as […]

This is a dhaba-style chana dal that is rich and flavorful. It has an outstanding balance of flavors with onions, garlic, black cardamom, lots of ghee, and some smokiness. It is a little more complex than a homestyle dal, but well worth the effort. About this Recipe If you had this dish from a dhaba, […]

Masoor Dal is a popular dal made with split red lentils. It is made from readily available ingredients. Split Masoor is available at most grocery stores labeled “red lentils.” It is a quick-cooking dal that has a rich, luscious texture and makes for a flavorful dal. About this Recipe This is a homestyle dal, made […]

Dal Chawal is a simple, hearty comfort food for millions of Indians worldwide. It is such a common food some version of it will be cooked just about anywhere in India. It’s just one of those foods that is part of the culture. Pot-In-Pot Dal Chawal is the ideal pot-in-pot food for the Instant Pot […]

This sprouted moong dal is inspired by Maharashtrian mugachi usal, made the way my mom used to make it for the family. It features nutritious sprouted moong dal, with the heartiness and warmth of a good dal. Serve it to your family with some basmati rice for a perfect weekday dinner. Why This Recipe Featuring […]

So many different Indian foods are made with lentils. From khichdi, made of simple rice and lentils, to dals, flatbreads, and some Maggie noodles are made from lentils. Beans and lentils are a primary source of protein for many vegetarians, and India is full of vegetarians. What is Dal? Dal is the word for “split […]

Quinoa Khichdi is a modern take on the classic rice khichdi, a comfort food I love. While quinoa has been in use for thousands of years, it has sort of taken the world by storm only in the last decade or so. People have come to appreciate its nutritional value and versatility with its high […]

Dal fry is an essential Indian Dal. To many of us, it is just great, hearty, warm comfort food. It is an example of dhaba food. Dhaba are roadside stalls, or truck stops, that serve mainly comfort food for the weary traveler. Dal fry is made with simple ingredients. In this recipe, I make it […]

Dal Tadka is a rich, creamy dal made with a mix of lentils. It is sometimes called “Yellow Dal Tadka” because of its color. It is very similar to Dal Fry. Both are made with a preparation of lentils and oil from a vaghar. In fact, the recipes are so similar with all of the […]

Goan Coconut Dal, Goan Varan, or simply Goan Dal, is a simple but flavorful dal from the tropical state of Goa. “Varan” is the word for dal in Marathi and Konkani, the language of Goa. Goan Coconut Dal is often part of the food cooked for Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh’s birthday celebration. During Ganesh Chaturthi, people […]

Tomato Dal, or “Tomato Pappu,” is a tangy comfort food dish from Andhra Pradesh. It gets its tanginess and depth from the mix of tomatoes and tamarind. This mix of tomatoes and tamarind is a classic combination in food from Andhra Pradesh. You will often find Tomato Dal served at weddings in Andhra Pradesh. The […]

Dal Makhani is a buttery, luxuriously textured black legntil bean dish that is a very popular restaurant dish. Its creamy, buttery texture and deep black color differ from other dal recipes. The color comes from using the whole urad (black gram) bean. Dal makhani is easy to make at home, especially with an Instant Pot […]

Dal saag is a delicious, silky, full-bodied dal with just the right amount of spice. This dish is easy to put together from items you probably already have in your kitchen. It makes for a nutritious weeknight meal that your family will enjoy. Pantry Meal Dal saag, dal palak, or spinach dal is a healthy […]

Masoor Musallam is a classic dish from Lucknow. Masoor dal are red lentils. “Musallam” means “whole,” and these are whole, unhusked red lentils as opposed to split lentils. Some other names for this dish are “Lucknow Style Masoor Dal” and “Awadhi Masoor Dal.” It comes from the Nawabi, meaning it has its roots in cuisine […]

Moong dal (also known as mung dhal or mag ni dal) is the mung bean split into half. It is a staple across the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Asia. In fact there is evidence of the lentil being widely cultivated in India over 3,000 years ago. Now, that’s one ancient bean! Today, moong […]

Lachko dal, with is made with tuvar dal (toor dal in Hindi) is a hearty Gujarati comfort food. It is no surprise why. Lachko dal is full of flavor and has an extraordinarily creamy texture. This lentil dish is also super easy to make, versatile enough to be eaten with rice or paratha, freezes well […]

Tangy, spicy and slightly sweet, Osaman is perfect as a warm vegetarian sipping broth on a cold evening. Osaman is a traditional Gujarati lentil broth. The water that the split pigeon peas (tuvar dal/ toor dal) are cooked in is flavored with lemon juice and spices. For such a simple dish, it is surprisingly complex […]

Grandma’s Gujarat Dal is the traditional “khatti meethi dal” (sour-sweet dal) served in Gujarati homes. It plays on the traditional Gujarati flavor balance of sweet, sour, and spicy.  About this Recipe Two things to know about my Grandmother’s kitchen. 1. Her kitchen was always sparkling clean, and 2. there was no experimenting in her kitchen. […]

A warm, spicy dal with fragrant spices and healing turmeric is just the thing for when we’re feeling this way. I don’t make dal as often as I’d like but it is incredibly satisfying when I do. The delicious soup like broth is both warming and packed with protein, making it perfect for a cold and windy night. […]

This masoor dal is so easy to make. Simply, throw some lentils, water and spices in the slow cooker, put on the lid and forget about it for several hours. There is no chopping vegetables or sauteeing onions. No fuss! When you’re ready to eat, pour over the fragrant “vaghaar” by heating some ghee or […]

What really makes Indian food stand out is the spices. There are hundreds of spices and spice mixtures. I can tell you from our experience with the blog, presenting these spices on paper in an organized way that is compelling and makes sense is always a challenge. In Spices & Seasons: Simple, Sustainable Indian Flavors, […]

Khandvi are a traditional Gujarati snack, or “farsan,” that are made with besan flour (garbanzo bean flour) and seasoned with sesame seeds, mustard seeds, chilies, and coconut. They are bite sized and easy to pick up with your fingers and pop into your mouth making them a great party appetizer. And best of all, they […]