Edit Article

  • 1,426 views

  • 1 Editor

  • Edited

Dal, which translates roughly to “lentil” in Hindi, is an Indian dish that consists primarily of lentils combined with spices to create a hearty, healthful and versatile comfort food.[1] Not only is Dal is a quick and easy dish to prepare, but lentils offer a multitude of nutritional benefits including fiber, protein, iron and magnesium.[2] There are a wide variety of lentils that you can use to cook dal, so experiment with different types for flavor and color variations.[3]

Ad

EditIngredients

  • 14 oz. (400 g) split lentils
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1 1/2 inch (4 cm) piece of ginger, peeled and chopped finely
  • 1 tbs. turmeric
  • 4 small green chiles (2 finely chopped, 2 whole)
  • 2 tbs. ghee (clarified butter)[4] or peanut oil
  • 2 shallots, finely sliced
  • 1 tbs. cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp. mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp. crushed red chile pepper flakes
  • 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • Salt to taste

EditSteps

  1. Cook Dal Step 1.jpg
    1
    Prepare the lentils by washing under cold water in a large bowl. Drain the water and repeat until the water runs clear.
    Ad
  2. Cook Dal Step 2.jpg
    2
    Put the lentils in a deep pan or large pot and cover with 2 qt. (2 L) of water. Bring the water to a boil and skim off any scum that rises to the surface with a wood spoon.
  3. Cook Dal Step 3.jpg
    3
    Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, chopped chiles, and a pinch of salt to the lentils. Reduce the heat and cover with a lid, leaving the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape.
  4. Cook Dal Step 4.jpg
    4
    Simmer gently on low heat for roughly 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. The lentils should be creamy and smooth by the end of the cooking process.
    • Add small amounts of boiling water at the end if you would prefer a thinner texture for the dal.
  5. Cook Dal Step 5.jpg
    5
    Add the two whole chiles to the dal with a pinch of salt. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
  6. Cook Dal Step 6.jpg
    6
    Heat the ghee or peanut oil in a frying pan over medium high heat and add the shallots. Stir the shallots until they are golden brown and slightly crispy, then add the cumin, mustard seeds and crushed chili flakes. Stir the ingredients gently until the mustard seeds begin to pop.
  7. Cook Dal Step 7.jpg
    7
    Combine the cooked lentils to the shallots and spice mixture. Stir all of the ingredients until they are well combined.
  8. Cook Dal Step 8.jpg
    8
    Top the finished dal with the cilantro leaves and serve.
    Ad


We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
Adobe Photoshop?
Yes I can
Adobe Photoshop
how to fade in Photoshop
Can you tell us about
career development?
Yes I can
career development
how to write a five-year plan
Can you tell us about
automobiles?
Yes I can
automobiles
how to install a camshaft
Can you tell us about
focus groups?
Yes I can
focus groups
how to run a focus group
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

EditTips

  • Soaking the lentils in cold water for roughly two hours prior to cooking can help create an even smoother consistency. Soaking is also usually necessary for whole lentils that are not split.
  • Experiment with adding or omitting different spices to vary the taste of the dal. Asafoetida,[5], cinnamon, cloves and spice blends such as Garam masala can provide tremendous flavor variety.
  • Dal can be eaten as a side dish for a larger meal or by adding vegetables or meat the dish can become a meal itself.

EditThings You’ll Need

  • Large bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Large pot
  • Frying pan
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board

EditSources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/02/how-to-cook-perfect-dal
  2. ↑ http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=52
  3. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-brown-gre-111139
  4. ↑ http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=newtip&dbid=9
  5. ↑ http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/06/spice-hunting-asafoetida-hing.html

Article Info

Categories: Recipes

In other languages:

Español: Cómo preparar dal, Italiano: Come Preparare il Dal, Русский: приготовить дал, Deutsch: Dal zubereiten, Português: Como Cozinhar Dal

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,426 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

Become
an Author!

Write an Article