Best 20 Dhal Recipes

BENGALI DHAL

Steps:

• Wash the lentils in a strainer. Combine the lentils and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add half of the sliced onions and garlic, reserving the rest for later. Stir in the turmeric, bay leaf, tomatoes, and salt. Add the chiles, leaving them whole to add flavor or cut in half to add heat. When the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the lentils break apart and thicken slightly, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until the oil shimmers. Add the reserved sliced onions; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Stir in the rest of the chopped garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and tender, about 2 minutes.
• Pour the contents of the skillet into the cooked lentils and stir. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

GREEN SPLIT PEA DHAL

Steps:

• Over high heat in a large soup pot, combine 1/2 tbs of the ghee or oil, garlic, minced pepper, and tomato slice. Saute over high heat until close to burning.
• Add 1/4 to 1/2 the spice mixture and the rest of the oil, if you need to (sometimes the extra oil is unneccssary).
• Saute until spices are slightly roasted and everything is nice and melded.
• Add the tomato juice and water, allow to come to a boil.
• Add 1/2 of the remaining spice mixture and the split peas.
• Simmer for 30-35 minutes.
• Add carrots and last of the spice mixture.
• Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
• Mash the split peas with a spoon or potato masher, or use a blender, then return to the pot.
• Add spinach and spice to taste, simmer for a final 10-20 minutes. Serve hot with rice or roti.

DHAL PURI

Steps:

• sift dry ingredients into a bowl.
• add the water a little at a time, and knead gently till a soft dough forms.
• Continue kneading till supple, but do not overwork dough.
• add oil to the dough and continue to knead till it is completely smooth.
• put the dough in a plastic bag or wrap in clear film.
• place in a cool room or in the refrigerator and leave to reast for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if possible.
• to make the filling, put the split peas in a large pan, pour over water to cover and cook for about 10-15 minutes, till half cooked - they should be tender on the outside, but still firm in the middle.
• allow water to evaporate during cooking, till pan is almost dry, but add a little extra water to prevent burning if necessary.
• spread out the peas on a tray. When cool, grind to a paste, using a mortar and pestle or food processor. Mix with cumin and garlic.
• Divide the dough into about 15 balls, slightly flatten each ball, put about 1 T of the split pea mixture into the center and fold over the edges.
• dust a rolling pin and board with flour and roll out the dhal puri, taking care not to overstretch the dough, till they are 7 inches in diameter.
• heat a little oil in a frying pan. Cook dhal puri for 3 minutes on each side till light brown. Serve as soon as last one is cooked.

TRINIDADIAN DHAL

Steps:

• Boil split peas in 2 cups of water until it comes to the boil.
• Add tumeric, 1 clove garlic, hot pepper and onion; cover, lower heat and cook until peas are tender; add more water if necessary.
• Add salt to taste and purée until mixture becomes thick. (Use a swizzle stick, Dhal Gutnee or your blender).
• Heat oil in a small pot; add cumin and remaining garlc and fry until brown.
• Pour in split peas mixture add pepper sauce to taste and stir well.
• Serve with hot rice or roti.
• Nice first food for baby - minus the hot pepper of course.

TADKA DHAL

Steps:

• Gently boil the lentils in a large saucepan of cold water (around 4 cups will do) and stir in the turmeric and black cardamom pods (if using)-this will add a subtle smoky flavor. Allow to cook for around 45 minutes, or until the lentils have softened and started to break down. Skim off any foam that sits on the top and give the lentils a stir every now and again in case they begin to stick on the bottom. If they boil dry, add more water.
• Once the lentils have softened, turn down the heat and make the tadka. Gently heat the oil in a skillet and add the cinnamon sticks, green cardamom pods and cloves. When the cardamoms have turned white and the heads of the cloves have swollen, you are ready to stir in the mustard and cumin seeds. When they are sizzling, stir in the scallions, chiles, garlic and ginger.
• After a minute, stir through the tomatoes and turn off the heat. Pour the tadka into the dhal so that it floats on top. This is the traditional way to serve it, with the scented oil sitting on top, but I prefer to stir it through. Season with salt, sugar and lemon juice. Finally, stir through plenty of chopped cilantro and serve with some rice or fresh bread for the ultimate comfort food.

FIJIAN DHAL SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium size stock pot add 4 cups water, dhal peas, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds and soak for about 1 hour. When softened, drain and rinse well.
• In a large stock pot, add 10 cups water and drained dhal pea mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1/2 hour or until peas are soft.
• In a saute pan, add olive oil, garlic and onions and cook until lightly browned.
• Add onion mixture, crushed chili pepper, carrots and celery to large stock pot. Cook for 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.
• Puree soup in batches in a blender or food processor. Return to stock pot and add salt, turmeric, curry powder, chicken soup base and soy sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes and then serve

INDIAN DHAL

Steps:

• Wash lentils thoroughly, remove any that float on the surface, drain well.
• Heat ghee and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is golden brown.
• Add turmeric and stir well.
• Add drained lentils and fry for a minute or two, then add hot water and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils are half cooked.
• Add salt and garam masala, mix well and continue cooking until lentils are soft and the consistency dsimilar to porridge.
• If there is too much liquid leave the lid off the pan to speed evaporation.
• Serve plain or garnished with sliced onion.

TARKA DHAL RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Wash lentils until the water runs clear.
• Add water until 1 inch above the surface of the lentils and boil.
• Add onions, bay leaf, turmeric and salt.
• Cook lentils for 10-15 mins or until soft.
• Remove bay leaf and blend lentils using a hand blender until you achieve desired consistency, preferably smooth.
• *Add more water at this point if you want a thinner dhal*
• Heat oil in a frying pan until hot and add dried red chilli and garlic. Allow garlic to lightly brown.
• Add this flavored oil to the blended lentils.
• Add tomatoes and chopped coriander.
• Serve with basmati or jasmine rice and lemon wedge.
• Enjoy!

DHAL CURRY WITH MEAT (GOSHT DHAL)

Steps:

• Rinse dhal and lentils in some lukewarm water. Soak overnight if you have the time otherwise not necessary. Pour in to large saucepan cover with water, 1 tsp each of the salt and tumeric. Boil like you would do for beans until soft and mushy.
• In a separate saucepan, saute onions, cinnamon stick and cumin seeds in oil till a pale gold colour .
• Add meat and the spices. Stir a few times without adding water.
• Gently cooking the spices, by adding water you don't give the spices a chance to cook, and then you will have a tasteless curry remember this with all Indian food.
• When it starts sticking to the pot add the tomotoe and about half a cup of water.
• Simmer slowly till well blended and the water has dried up.
• Liquidise the dhals and add to pot and some water to the consistency you would like the dhal about a cup of water should be enough. Bring to boil and then simmer slowly till dhal is well blended in, about half an hour. Adding water if becoming to thick.
• When done, make your tempering, heat your ghee in a pan add onion, cumin and mustard seeds and garlic cloves,and fry till nice golden brown. Add to pot of dhal and close lid tightly.
• Just before serving add your chopped cilantro and your gharam malasa. (In Indian cooking gharam masala is always added just before serving as it is a pepping up spice. Stir and serve with white rice/roti etc.

SPINACH AND DHAL CURRY

Steps:

• wash lentils in cold water till water runs clear.
• add veg stock and simmer till cooked about 40 mins add more water if dry.
• meanwhile fry in little oil onion and garlic cook 10 mins.
• add ginger and spices cook 3mins.
• add tomatoes and spinach cook 5mins.
• throw into lentils.
• serve with rice and chutneys.

CREAMY LENTIL AND SPLIT-PEA DHAL

Steps:

• Place lentils and split-peas in a bowl and add cold water to cover. Set aside for 30 minutes. Drain.
• Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the lentils, split-peas, tumeric and chillies. Boil uncovered until the lentils and split-peas are tender (about 30 minutes). Drain, place in a bowl and mash coarsely. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat and add the mustard seeds. Cook until they crackle (about 30 seconds). Stir in the cumin seeds and cook until aromatic (about 30 seconds). Stir in garam masala and ground coriander.
• Stir in the mashed lentils and peas, water, cream and tomato. Season with salt and bring to the boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, stirring often for 4 minutes. Adjust the seasoning, stir in the fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.

PRESSURE COOKER DOUBLE DHAL

Steps:

• Rinse chana dal and lentils until water runs clear.
• Heat olive oil in pressure cooker and soften onions and garlic.
• Add all other ingredients apart from garam masala, salt and sultanas to pressure cooker.
• Lid and bring up to pressure.
• Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes.
• Release pressure and open lid carefully.
• Add sultanas, salt and garam masala.
• Check for seasoning and add chili flakes and pepper to taste.
• Check doneness of potatoes and lentils and simmer until soft.

PAKISTANI DHAL

Steps:

• Heat water in pot until boiling.
• Add lentils and boil for one minute.
• Reduce heat to a simmer.
• Simmer lentils until they resemble a thick paste.
• While lentils are simmering, heat oil in frying pan.
• Add onion, garlic and ginger. Fry until soft. Add curry, chili, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper, sauté for 2-3 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and sauté for another 3-5 minutes. Add fried spice mixture into lentil paste, stir and cook an additional 15-20 minutes.
• Serve as is or over basmati rice.

EGGPLANT AND DHAL CURRY WITH BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400', stab the eggplant with a fork a couple of times and put in a small casserole dish, uncovered on the middle rack for 30 minutes. When done, run under some cool water and peel of skin, and scrape out all of the seeds. Place in a food processor. (do not process until all the ingredients are ready.)
• While the eggplant is roasting, brown the basmati rice in a skillet with 2T of olive oil, the turmeric, salt, and cumin seeds for 5 minutes. Then add the 2 cups water, bring to a boil, cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes.
• Start the lentils cooking in a pot with about 2" of water covering them. Bring them to a boil and then cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the water is almost gone. After they are done cooking, put them along with 2T of lentil water in the food processor with the eggplant.
• In a small skillet, cook 3T olive oil, the mustard seeds, the chopped onions, and the garlic. (This dish is not spicy, but if you want it to be, just add the cayenne to this mixture.) After onions are tender and mustard seeds start sputtering, add the salt and the curry seasoning. Stir in a handful of washed baby spinach and wilt into the mixture. Add all of this to the food processor and process on low with the eggplant and the lentils. Add the cup of pureed tomatoes (I use some leftover homemade tomato soup that has pureed tomatoes, a little sugar, salt, and tomato paste in it)and process it all up and then enjoy.

MIXED DHAL

Steps:

• Mix the lentils together in a large bowl and wash in several changes of water.
• Heat the ghee in a large, heavy-based, preferably non-stick saucepan, and add the onion, garlic, ginger and chili.
• Cook, stirring, until onion is soft, and starting to brown.
• Add the seeds and powdered spices, and cook, stirring until fragrant.
• Add the lentils along with the undrained tomatoes and stock, and stir to combine.
• Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about one hour, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
• Add small amounts of water from time to time if the mixture appears to be sticking, or is too thick before the lentils soften.
• Add the coconut cream and cilantro just before serving, stirring and heating through over low heat.

DHAL - LENTIL PUREE

Steps:

• Wash lentils thoroughly, removing those that float on the surface.
• Drain well.
• Heat ghee or oil and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is golden.
• Add turmeric and stir well.
• Add drained lentils and fry for 1-2 minutes.
• Add water, lower heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add salt to taste, mix thoroughly and continue cooking until lentils are soft and the consistency is thick, similar to porridge.
• Serve Dhal plain or garnish with sliced onion, fried until golden brown.

INDIAN DHAL WITH TOMATO AND AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Boil the lentils with the turmeric in the water till soft. Remove from the Heat and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a small pan and fry the seeds till they splutter.
• Add the green chillies, eggplant, chilli powder and salt.
• Fry for 30 seconds and add the tomato.
• Cook till the tomato and aubergine is soft, add the lemon juice
• Add the lentil mixture to the spiced vegetables, reduce the heat and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
• Serve as a side to a good curry and enjoy.

RED LENTIL DHAL

Steps:

• In a saute pan over medium heat, toast the seeds (but not the dried red chili) for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Remove from pan and let cool.
• Transfer to coffee grinder, along with the dried red chili and cinnamon, and grind to a fine powder.
• Over medium-high heat oil a soup pot, add onions and saute for 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and ginger and saute 5 more minutes.
• Add spices and salt, saute 5 minutes more.
• Add 4 cups of liquid (stock, water or broth) and stir to deglaze the pot.
• Add tomato paste and lentils.
• Bring to a boil then lower the heat a bit and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, lime juice and cilantro and more water if it looks to thick.
• Simmer 10 more minutes, or until lentils are completely tender.

RED LENTIL DHAL WITH CRISP PARSNIPS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Heat the 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan, add the onions, then fry for about 2 minutes until lightly colored.
• Stir in lentils and curry powder.
• Add the tomatoes and stock.
• Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Peel the parsnips and shave into strips.
• Toss the parsnips in 1 teaspoon oil in a roasting tin and bake for 10 minutes until crisp.
• Spoon the dhal into 4 bowls and pile the parsnips on top.

GREEN BEANS WITH URAD DHAL

Steps:

• Wash and trim the beans and cut them into 3/4-inch lengths (about 3 cups). Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a wok or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the mustard seeds and cover. When the mustard seeds have popped, toss in the dried red chili and curry leaves. After a few seconds, add the urad dhal and stir until the dhal turns pale gold. Add the onion and continue stirring until the dhal turns light brown and the onion becomes soft. Put in the green beans, salt, and 2 tablespoon water and stir over medium heat for 10 minutes. If the beans get too dry, sprinkle on 1 or 2 teaspoons of water. While the beans are still a little crunchy, add the coconut. Continue stirring for another 5 minutes, or until the beans are tender.