Indian Lentil Recipes
or Dal Recipes as it is known as in India, is very popular and highly nutritious. Dal is a high source of Protein. In every Indian household, Dal is a staple. It is cooked every day. In fact, no Indian Lunch or Dinner is complete without the Dal or Indian Lentil soup.
Taking inspiration from the colorful states we are surrounded by, today, I have brought to you a collection of 15 Dal recipes or Indian Lentil Soup recipes. These recipes are very personal to each state and is yet unknown to the neighboring state.
So, time to spread our friendly hug a little wider and learn about the different varieties of Dal recipes which are cooked in different states of the county. Here I have listed the Dal recipe of majority of the Indian states and the ones which I have left out are just some states which have the similar or close to similar Dal recipes.
So, without wasting any further time, lets explore the different Dal recipes of India. These Indian Lentil recipes are hugely popular and loved by everyone. So, check it out and try it
Check out the Different Dal Recipes of India
I'm sure you'll have great fun making these at home. So what, you do not have the time to travel to every part of the country? You can always taste their authentic dishes and feel like you are right there, sitting in one of the homes and having their regular staple dish.
Punjabi Dal Tadka
Just like the excitement and vibrant colors of Punjab this cheerful Punjabi Dal Tadka has got all the excitement and cheer that will certainly make your day. Made with a combination of Chana Dal (Split chickpeas) and Toor Dal (Split pigeon peas). This delicious recipe is popularly called Dal Makhni and is very commonly found in Punjab or Delhi. This is served with Roti (bread) or Naan or Rice.
image source: instagram
get the recipe from Chef Kunal Kapur's Youtube video
Because Punjabi Food is incomplete without Butter Chicken: Authentic Butter Chicken Recipe
Kashmiri Dal
Kashmiri Cuisine has been a thing of curiosity for me. However, looking at their dal recipe you'll realize that our Kashmiri neighbours have a unique blend of spices that makes their dal recipe, unforgettable. Also made using Chana Dal and Munch Dal (Petit Yellow Lentils) this has a typical hot and spicy taste.
image source: Pulses.org
get the recipe of Kashmiri Dal from Pulses.org
Garhwali Chaunsa Dal
This is a Kumaoni dish as well as an authentic Garhwali dish. Chaunsa is made using black lentils (Urad Dal) which is first roasted and then grinded into a powder. It is then cooked with flavorful spices like hing or asafoetida, ginger and garlic, and coriander powder.
image source: Prakriti Retreat Blog
get the recipe from HappyTummy2HappyHeart with Smita's Youtube video
Lucknowi Dal
Lucknowi Dal is a special remenant of the Navabi or Mughal Cuisine which has had a deep impact on Awadh cuisine. This special dal is made using Toor Dal, which is boiled with water and milk. Then it is flavored using, fragrant rosted spices like - garlic, asafoetida, cumin seeds and red chilies.
image source: instagram
Learn how to make Lucknowi Dal recipe from Chef Sanjeev Kapoor
You might also like to read: 10 Best Indian Chicken Recipes you have to try once in a lifetime
Rajasthani Panchmel Dal
Panchmel Dal is the original recipe of Rajasthanis that is made with the combination of five varities of Indian lentils - Chana Dal (Bengal Gram Dal), Moong Dal (Green gram Dal), Moth Dal (Moth bean split), Toor Dal, Urad Dal (black gram). It is a very spicy dish and has a thick consistency. This is typically served with Dal Bati which is made using Bajra (Wheat Flour) and is only authentic to Rajasthan.
image source: That Baker Gal's Instagram
get the recipe from thatbakergal
Gujarati Dal Dhokli
This is unique recipe of Gujarat in which Dhokli is made using a dough of Whole Wheat Atta which is spiced with Indian Spices and then kneaded into a dough. After this it is rolled into a big circular bread and then cut into square boxes. Meanwhile Toor Dal is cooked with the regular Indian Spices and once it starts boiling, you add in the Dhoklis. The final tadka is added using a combination of Mustard seeds, Curry leaves, asafoetida and dried red-chilies
image source: Nishtha Mathur's Instagram
get the recipe of Gujarati Dal Dhokli from Poonam Bachhav's blogspot
Maharashtrian Amti Dal
Amti Dal or Amti is a typical Maharashtrian Dal recipe which is cooked using Toor Dal. The most unique thing is the use of goda masala which includes sesame seeds, dry red chilies, Stone flower (Kalpasi), and grated coconut. It is again cooked using jaggery, tamarind or Kokum. This is spicy dal recipe, which is very popular in Maharashtra.
learn the recipe from Chakali's Blogspot
Goan Dal
Goan recipes have an exotic flavour that is unique and unknown to the rest of the country. Goan Dal is made using Toor Dal which is then blended using shallots, coconuts, cumin seeds and garlic. It is then tempered with garlic, asafoetida, mustard seeds, curry leaves and dried red chilies. You can garnish this with fresh coriander leaves and red chilies and serve it with rice.
get the recipe from Food 52
Bihari Chana Dal
This Chana Dal Recipe is authentic to Bihar. To make this recipe first I boil the Chana Dal and meanwhile make a spiced mixture of chopped onions, garlic, tomatoes and Indian spices like (red chili powder, garam masala powder and turmeric powder). After the chana dal is cooked in the pressure cooker, I pour it in the spice mixture and cover cook it again for a minute or two. Finally, for the tempering, I use ghee in which I add bay leaves, red chilies and cumin seeds and chopped garlic. Once it gets fragrant, I add it over the cooked dal. The garlic-y flavors of the dal will take you back to bihari homes where this is a staple diet.
learn the recipe from Bihari Recipes in hindi
Bengali style Chana Dal or Cholar Dal
Cholar Dal Recipe is something which is very personal and emotional to me and all other Bengalis. Starting from Poila-Boishak to Durga Pujo, Narkol diye Cholar Dal is pure nostalgia. I generally pressure cook the Chana Dal along with roasted pieces of coconut, bay leaf, died red chilies, turmeric and sugar. For the final tempering I use bay leaves, dried red chilies, cumin seeds, green cardamom pods and an inch long cinnamon stick. Once it gets fragrant, I add it to the Cholar Dal and also garnish it with resins and cashew nuts.
image source: instagram
learn the recipe from mytrystwithfoodandtravel
Dalma from Odisha
Dalma is an ultimate comfort food of Odisha. This Oriya Dalma Recipe is basically a variety of Chickpeas recipe, but is also made using our the very common Toor Dal. It's such a simple one pot dish wherein Toor Dal is put to pressure cook aling with Raw bananas, Green Papayas, Brinjals, Pumpkins and Carrots. It is finally tempered in Ghee with Panchforan-(A combination of five spices: fenugreek, cumin, nigella, black mustard and fennel seeds) and ginger garlic paste. It is garnished with Coconut shavings.
image source: That Food Affair's Instagram
Get the Dalma Recipe from food.ndtv
Andhra Style Spinach Dal or Palakura Pappu
Palakura Pappu or Palak Dal is extremely common in Andhra Pradesh. Moreover, one doesn't need to know how healthy Palak is. So imagine a combination of Palak and Dal, it's a soup, you can have and feel full, without having to go for diets. To make Palak Pappu, first Toor Dal is pressure cooked. Palak is also pressure cooked. and it is finally tempered with garlic, dried red chilies and curry leaves.
image credit: asmallbitepriya's instagram
learn the recipe from asmallbite
You may also like to read: 15 Ladoo Recipes of different kinds to make for the festive Season
Methi Dal in Udupi Style
Methi Dal is highly nutritious Indian Lentil soup recipe made with fresh fenugreek leaves. This is a Kannad Dish. Methi Dal recipe involves Toor Dal, which it is first pressure cooked and then mixed along with Methi (Fenugreek) leaves, Onion, Tomatoes and Garlic. It is seasoned with Tamarind, Chili Powder and Garam Masala. You can always replace tamarind with lemon juice.
image source
Learn the recipe also from Udupi Recipes
Nadan Kerala Parippu Curry
Parippu Curry is authentic to Kerala. This Dal recipe involves a combination of Moong and Urad Dals which is first pressure cooked and then mixed with a spicy mixture of coconut, cumin seeds, garlic and green chilies. It is ten tempered with the fried onions, curry leaves, dried red chilies, Urad Dal and Mustard seeds. It is served with rice.
Learn the recipe from Kothiyavunu
Moong Dal Sambar from Tamil Nadu
Sambar is a very popular Dal recipe which is authentically from Tamil Nadu. Although Sambar is made all over the country and we all have had it most of the times for our morning breakfast with Idli and Dosas, but, Sambar of Tamil Nadu is exclusive. It is basically Moong Dal which is pressure cooked with vegetables and Tamarind Pulp, then tempered with the typical south Indian spices which is the combination of Mustard, Fenugreek and Cumin seeds along with Asafoetida, dry red chilies, Chana Dal and Curry leaves.
learn step by step guidelines of Moong Dal Sambar Recipe from spiceindiaonline
Hence, this was a list of 15 different varieties of Dal recipes of India. I hope you'll have a fun time cooking them. Read more of my Indian recipe blogs as well. Tell me your experiences and suggestions by commenting below. Until nest time.
Happy Cooking to you!
