10 Delicious Dal Recipes

Interestingly, dal is both an ingredient and a dish!  That is why you find recipes to make dal while other recipes have dal listed as an ingredient.  As an ingredient dal is a type of split pea or lentil.  These pulses are commonly simmered down into a soupy, porridge-like dish, also called dal, that is traditional in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Dal, in whatever form, makes for a very nutritious meal that is packed with protein, and when served with rice, provides a complete protein.

Here are a few delicious OGP recipes that show you how to make some traditional dal dishes as well as recipes that show off dal lentils as a versatile ingredient.

1. Lentil Pancakes with Leftover Vegan Dal

Source: Lentil Pancakes with Leftover Vegan Dal/One Green Planet

These Lentil Pancakes with Leftover Vegan Dal by Priya Lakshminarayan are such an easy meal since you are using mostly leftovers.  The ingredient list is short as there is already a host of spices and salt in the leftover dal. These pancakes call for a little rice flour as this helps to make your pancakes even crispier!

2. Dal with Millet and Lentils

Source: Dal with Millet and Lentils/One Green Planet

Try this recipe for Dal with Millet and Lentils by Nele Liivlaid.  This dal is made from beluga lentils and a list of warming spices, coconut milk, and seasoning vegetables.  The whole dish can be whipped up in about thirty minutes, so it is a great choice for a mid-week evening meal.

3. One-Pot Potato, Spinach, and Lentil Dal

Source: One-Pot Potato, Spinach, and Lentil Dal/One Green Planet

Here is another super quick, yet highly nutritious and delicious meal.  Have a go at making this One-Pot Potato, Spinach, and Lentil Dal by Julie Zimmer.  This recipe calls for red football lentils which are just whole red lentils.  Tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, and curry paste make for a flavorful and aromatic dish.

4. Instant Pot Tomato Butternut Squash Dal

Source: Instant Pot Tomato Butternut Squash Dal/One Green Planet

This is a great, seasonal dal dish to enjoy in the autumn and winter months.  The flavors of the squash are not hidden by too many spices in this recipe for Instant Pot Tomato Butternut Squash Dal by Manali Singh.  Instead, subtle spices compliment the sweetness of the tomatoes and squash for a rich and creamy meal. You don’t have to use an Instant Pot; you can make this on a stovetop.

5. Lentil Dumplings: Savory Indian Donuts

Source: Lentil Dumplings: Savory Indian Donuts/One Green Planet

Well, these are fun!  Check out these Lentil Dumplings: Savory Indian Donuts by Anupa Joseph.  Urad lentils are blended with beautiful spices and rice flour to make a dough.  The dal dough is then formed into dumplings and fried until golden.  Serve these with some homemade chutney.

6. Spicy Carrot Broccoli Dal

Source: Spicy Carrot Broccoli Dal/One Green Planet

If you like a little heat to your dal, then try this Spicy Carrot Broccoli Dal by Mitra Shirmohammadi.  The amount of heat you add is up to you, so you can adjust as desired. The carrots and coconut milk add a perfect creaminess to the dal, smoothing out any spice. Serve this dal with rice, cashews, and fresh, chopped parsley.

7. Dill Flavored Lentil Fritters

Source: Dill Flavored Lentil Fritters/One Green Planet

Check out this super flavorful finger food by Priya Lakshminarayan.  These Dill Flavored Lentil Fritters are made from urad dal, a few simple spices, and some chopped dill.  The fritters are shallow fried making them that little bit more healthy than their deep-fried fritter cousins.

8. Dhokar Dalna: Bengali Lentil Cakes

Source: Dhokar Dalna: Bengali Lentil Cakes/One Green Planet 

This recipe for Dhokar Dalna: Bengali Lentil Cakes by Dhrubaa Mukherjee is a traditional Bengali dish that is made from chana dal, dried peas, spicy chilis, and a blend of warm spices.  The little cakes are fried and then simmered in a spicy cardamom sauce and served with rice.

9. Mushroom Stuffed With Spring Dal

Source: Mushroom Stuffed With Spring Dal/One Green Planet

These Mushrooms Stuffed With Spring Dal by Clémence Moulaert makes a great main dish that can be served with a salad or rice.  A dal spiced with garam masala is spooned into a big, succulent, roasted mushroom.  You can also pour extra dal over the mushroom if there is any leftover.

10. Masoor Peanut Sauce Dal

Source: Masoor Peanut Sauce Dal/One Green Planet

Here is a recipe for a dal that has its roots in Indonesia but gains inspiration from the lentil dishes of Gujarat, India. Try this colorful Masoor Peanut Sauce Dal by Rakhee Yadav and experience a delicious and textured dal that celebrates all its versatility.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Unfortunately, dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

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