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Indian Dal Recipes (Lentil Recipes)

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Delicious Indian recipes using various kinds of Dal (Lentil)

Dal (also spelled Dahl or Daal, or Dhal) is a preparation of pulses (dried lentils, peas or beans) which have been stripped of their outer hulls and split. It also refers to the thick stew prepared from these, a mainstay of Indian, Nepali, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi cuisine. It is regularly eaten with rice and vegetables in Southern India, and with both rice and roti (wheat-based flat bread) throughout Northern India

Dal is a ready source of proteins, good for health and brings strength.

There are many varieties of Dal and even varieties of the Indian Recipes around it. Toor dal, Chana dal, Yellow split peas, Kala chana, Kabuli dal, Mung dal, Lobya Dal, Urad dal and Masoor dal to name a few. This web page is dedicated to only Indian Dal Recipes. And also nutritional information of Dal. So read on, enjoy reading, preparing and eating Indian Dal Recipe dishes.

If you are a Dal Lover or frequently prepare dal at your home, remember to bookmark this page or better still, subscribe via rss, add to favorite or like it in Faceobook (see links at the top).

Contents at a Glance

Get the BEST Indian Dal Recipes from all...
A list of Indian Dal Recipes
Indian Dal Recipes Photo Gallery as seen...
Indian Dal Recipes from the Internet
Great and useful videos on Indian Dal Re...
Varieties of Dal

Learn, Prepare, Eat

Dal recipes are very common in India (and other parts of the world too). You can prepare dal in various ways ranging from curry to main dishes to desserts and snacks. This page tries to combine the best Indian Dal Recipes together. Learn to prepare Dal in ways you have never prepared. Surprise your family with new dal recipes everyday.

A list of Indian Dal Recipes

from Kanchan's Kitchen

A collection of Indian Dal Recipes starting from curry to main dish to desserts and snacks.

Toor Dal (Indian Spicy Style): Toor Dal (also known as Arhar Dal or Tuvar Dal) is a yellow peas variety of lentil which is really healthy as it has lot of fiber and protein. There's a saying in India that Dal makes you stronger! Preparing this dal can vary widely depending on how much spicy (and tasty) you want to make it. Here I am going to describe Indian spicy style Toor Dal recipe that is in itself a side dish with nice garnishing options. It is easy too.
Masoor Dal (Red Lentils) - Spicy Indian Style: Masoor Dal (Red Lentils) is a part of staple food in many parts of India. This forms a generic "curry" to mix with rice along with other dry side dishes. This can be made thicker and served with roti as well. Now masoor dal can be made very bland (merely by boiling and very few spices) which is of course quick and easy. But today, I am going to tell you how to prepare this simple Masoor Dal Recipe in a way that will make this dish itself very tasty. This recipe is a slight variation of the standard "everyday" recipe. The masoor dal is said to have quite a lot of nutritional value and brings strength.
Quick and Easy Moong Dal Recipe: Moong Dal (Split yellow beans/lentils) actually tastes much better than other dal alternatives like masoor dal. The preparation of moong dal is also quite simple and hence quick. There is no need of pressure cooker and with few delicious garnishing options, the Moong Dal Recipe will simply rule. You can serve moong dal with rice and another side dish. This also tastes yummy with roti / paratha. So go ahead, try this Quick and Easy Moong Dal Recipe.
Dal Fry (lentils): Dal Fry is a refreshing preparation of dal when you (and your family) gets bored with the same taste and styled dal. This preparation will need a mixture of different dals among other huge list of ingredients. So better checkout the ingredient list and have the inventory ready before starting. This doesn't take too long or too much effort. As my husband would put it "The ROI (return of investment) is high".
Medu Vada (South Indian Vada): Medu Vada is an awesome South Indian dish that tastes really delicious with sambar and chutney. The vada is crispy on the outside yet kind of soft inside. You can have it dipped in the sambar bowl or just separately (to feel the crispy layer). I try both ways. The preparation is not difficult at all and is healthy too.
Khichdi (Khichuri): Khichdi is a common dish that is somewhat unique due to its preparation and different ways of preparation. There is the easiest recipe that comprises of just boiling the rice and the daal together and then there is this recipe which does take some effort to prepare. Of course the finished dish not only smells awesome but tastes incredible. The beauty of khichdi is you can prepare a larger quantity and have daily with different side dishes like beguni (brinjal / eggplant fry), mashed potato, fried peanuts, omelette and what not.
Moong Dal with karela (bitter gourd): Moong Dal with karela is a healthy alternative to standard dal recipe. You can make good use of the karela (bitter gourd) as the bitter taste is diluted when used in the dal but the nutrition and its usefulness remains intact. The Moong Dal with Karela recipe is not very different than the usual preparation. In fact its quite easy and quick.
Sweet Raas Bada Dessert: Raas Bada is a sweet dessert which is ideal after a "rich" dinner or lunch. The preparation is very easy yet it is unique as not many people prepare this item often. And the good thing this it is not totally sweet as it has a bit of hot taste as well. So go ahead and make this Raas Bada Recipe as your next dessert item after your meal.
Chana Dal (Spicy version): Chana Dal (Spicy version) is a great alternative to plain dal and is ideal for special occasion or parties. Of course this item is a "side" dish and needs a main dish (like paratha, puri or pulao) and another primary side dish to complete that delicious and ultimate meal. You can vary the spice level in this Chana Dal Recipe to make this dish more or less spicy per your taste.
Dahi Bada (Dahi Vada): Dahi Bada or Dahi Vada is a heavy snacks that is considered as slightly special and is prepared on certain occasions like holi. This item is spicy and "chatpata" and ideal for evening snacks. If taken in large quantities it can serve as dinner as well. Preparing this does take some effort though.
South Indian Sambar Recipe: Sambar (like coconut chutney) is another essential side item for any south indian food and makes the taste of the south indian dish even more delicious. Preparing Sambar is almost similar to that of any daal with obvious additions of south indian specific ingredients. The effort is not that much but it does take some time as the daal needs to be cooked first.
Rajma Masala (Red Kidney Beans Curry): Rajma Masala is a spicy curry similar to dal using red kidney beans. This is a very popular North Indian dish that tastes delicious with paratha and salad. You will need a slight pre-planning as the red kidney beans (rajma) needs to be soaked overnight. You can also vary the quantity to spices to make this dish super rich (for guests or party) or everyday Rajma Masala Recipe. Try it out.
Onion Butter Uttapam (with tomato): Butter Onion Uttapam (with tomato) is one of my favorite south indian recipes. It is colorful too! Plus this is really heavy for lunch or dinner and healthier than other spicy dishes. Preparing this dish alone is easy but when you combine it with sambar and chutney, it might take some time.
South Indian Masala Dosa (w/potato filling): Masala Dosa with potato filling is the ultimate south indian food (most probably the staple food in south india) but is relished in almost all parts of India. This item is not only healthy but also tastes great with crispy layers of dosa filled with delicious potato preparation as fillings. Effort wise Masala Dosa is simple but does take some time to complete as you have to cook one dosa at a time. And also considering that you also have to prepare the sambar and coconut chutney as well to go along with this main dish, overall this is much like a mini-project.

Indian Dal Recipes Photo Gallery as seen on Best of Kanchan Blog

from Sudipta Shaw Photography

Chana Dal

Dal Fry

Dahi Vaada

Moong Dal

Sambar

Rajma Masala

Masoor Dal

Moong Dal with Karela

Uttapam

Masala Dosa

Indian Dal Recipes from the Internet

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Here's a list of Indian Dal Recipes available on the internet for you to browse. In case you like some of these, do leave comments and feedback in the guestbook for the benefit of the next reader. Thank You!

Great and useful videos on Indian Dal Recipe

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Dal Pakhtooni by Sanjeev Kapoor: by sanjeevkapoorkhazana | video info

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Varieties of Dal

from Wikipedia

* Toor dal - yellow Pigeon peas; available either plain or oily. It is the main ingredient for the famous South Indian curry called Sambar.

* Chana dal - Chholar dal in Bengali, split Chickpeas without seedcoat. Chana dal is produced by removing the outer layer of Kala chana (black chickpeas) and then splitting the kernel. Although machines can do this, it can be done at home by soaking the whole chickpeas and removing the loose skins by placing the chickpeas between two towels and rubbing with a rolling pin.

* Yellow split peas - While not commonly used on the Indian sub-continent it is very prevalent in the Indian communities of Guyana and Trinidad. There, it is referred to generically as dal and is the most popular dal, although masoor dal and toor dal are also used. It is prepared similarly to dals found in India but also may be used in a variety of other recipes.

* Kala chana - small Chickpeas with brown skins. It is very disease resistant.

* Kabuli dal - known for its black coat, it is an average size chickpea. It grows naturally with the black coat (not roasted as some believe), and it is said to be nuttier in flavor.

* Mung dal - i.e. Mung bean. It is the main ingredient for the preparation of the South Indian curry called Rasam.

* Lobya Dal Red Kidney Beans. Best served with plain pilau rice.

* Urad dal - Urad bean is sometimes referred to as "Black gram". It is the main ingredient of the South Indian dishes: Idli and Dosai. It is also one of the main ingredients of East Indian (Oriya, Bengali, Assamese) dishes: Pitha. Punjabi version, Dal makhani.

* Masoor dal - Red lentils

* Sweet Potato dal - Another variation of the dal using Sweet Potato in addition to lentils.

* Rajma dal - Kidney beans.

* Mussyang - dals of various color that are found in various hilly regions of Nepal.

Calories in Indian Dal

300 per 285 gram serving

Per Serving (295g-wt.): 300 calories (45 from fat), 5g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 16g protein, 48g total carbohydrate (12g dietary fiber, 8g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 1030mg sodium.

Comparisons
One dal fry provides 177 calories.
One tandoori roti provides 150 calories
One chappathi provides 102 calories

Bottomline
Cooked lentils would have approximately 220 calories for 1 cup, that is around 180 to 200 gms, if uncooked you can count on 80 to 100 gms would be containing 220 calories, these are rich in soluble fiber and folic acids which are very essential and also help in reducing cholestrol and good for heart too.