Best Dhal Recipes

NEXT LEVEL DHAL MAKHANI

Steps:

• Tip the dhal into a sieve and rinse under cold water several times until the water runs clear. Put in a large bowl or pot and cover in double their volume of warm water. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda and leave to soak at room temperature for at least 12 hrs.
• Drain the dhal (but don't rinse), tip into a pan and cover with 1.5 litres water. Add the sliced ginger, whole chilli and turmeric, then bring to the boil, skim off any scum that rises to the top and reduce the heat. Simmer uncovered for 1 hr until very tender, or cook in a pressure cooker for 20 mins. Remove the ginger and chilli.
• Heat the butter in a separate pan over a medium-high heat until it has foamed up and turned nut-brown. Pour half into a small container and set aside. Return the pan and remaining butter to the heat and add the cumin seeds, fenugreek leaves, ground coriander, garlic, grated ginger and tomato purée and cook for 2 mins more. Stir the spice mixture into the cooked dhal, then add the kidney beans along with the liquid from the can and season generously with salt.
• Roughly mash the dhal mixture with a potato masher until some of the pulses are crushed. Cook, stirring, over a very low heat for 15-20 mins until the dhal is thick and creamy. Stir through most of the reserved brown butter, the garam marsala and half the cream. Tip the dhal into a serving dish and drizzle over the remaining cream and brown butter. Scatter over the chopped chilli and ginger matchsticks and serve.

RED LENTIL DHAL

Steps:

• Place lentils in a pan with the salt, cover with the water and bring to the boil.
• Remove the froth, reduce the heat and put the lid on the pan - leave to simmer for 10 minutes. Check the lentils are cooked by squeezing them between your fingers. Once soft remove from the heat.
• In a frying pan heat the oil or butter. Using a fork pierce the whole chillies and add to the pan with a bay leaf and the cumin seeds.
• When the seeds sizzle, remove the chilli and set to one side for your garnish.
• Add the onion and garlic and fry until lightly browned. Reduce the heat and add the tomatoes, ginger, turmeric, fenugreek and the chopped chilli. Gently let the ingredients cook down for about 10 minutes to make a thick masala paste.
• Add a ladle full of the lentils (dhal) to the masala paste in the frying pan and stir together, then empty all the contents back into the pan with the lentils and stir. It should have the consistency of a thick soup but if it's too thick just add a little boiling water and remove from the heat. If you prefer it thicker just leave it on the heat to reduce until you get the consistency you want.
• Check the seasoning and add a little salt if required. Stir in the garam masala, coriander and top with the whole chillies to serve.

SPINACH, SWEET POTATO & LENTIL DHAL

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wide-based pan with a tight-fitting lid.
• Add 1 finely chopped red onion and cook over a low heat for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened.
• Add 1 crushed garlic clove, a finely chopped thumb-sized piece of ginger and 1 finely chopped red chilli, cook for 1 min, then add 1½ tsp ground turmeric and 1½ tsp ground cumin and cook for 1 min more.
• Turn up the heat to medium, add 2 sweet potatoes, cut into even chunks, and stir everything together so the potato is coated in the spice mixture.
• Tip in 250g red split lentils, 600ml vegetable stock and some seasoning.
• Bring the liquid to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and cook for 20 mins until the lentils are tender and the potato is just holding its shape.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning, then gently stir in the 80g spinach. Once wilted, top with the 4 diagonally sliced spring onions and ½ small pack torn basil leaves to serve.
• Alternatively, allow to cool completely, then divide between airtight containers and store in the fridge for a healthy lunchbox.

MAKHANI DHAL

Steps:

• Boil the lentils in 800ml water for 15 mins until almost tender. Meanwhile, fry the onions and chillies in the 50g butter for about 7 mins until starting to soften. Stir in the ginger, garlic and spices and cook over a low heat for 1 min more.
• Pour in 800ml boiling water followed by the cooked lentils and any liquid. Add the bay leaves and beans, then simmer for 20 mins more until thickened. This can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, or frozen for up to 1 month.
• To serve, return to the heat if necessary and stir in the cream. Season well. Pour into a bowl, dot with the remaining butter, dust with garam masala and scatter with coriander.

TARKA DHAL

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils several times until the water runs clear, then tip into a saucepan with 1 litre water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 mins, skimming the froth from the top. Cover with a lid and cook for a further 40 mins, stirring occasionally, until it's a thick, soupy consistency.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat the ghee or oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, then fry the onion and garlic until the onion is softened, so around 8 mins. Add the turmeric and garam masala, then cook for a further minute. Set aside.
• Tip the lentils into bowls and spoon half the onion mixture on top. Top with the coriander and tomato to serve.

CHICKPEA & COCONUT DHAL

Steps:

• Heat the ghee or groundnut oil and fry the onion over a medium heat until it's pale gold and soft. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another couple of mins. Stir in all the spices and cook for another minute or so, then add all the remaining ingredients and 450ml water. Bring to just below boiling point, turn the heat down and simmer for about 40 mins until the split peas are soft. If you like your dhal thick in texture, mash the chickpeas to break them down. If the mixture is getting dry, add more water. If it's too thin, keep cooking until you get the thickness you want. There is no 'right' consistency; dhal can be almost brothy or like a thick purée.
• To serve, heat the ghee or butter in a pan and add the shallots. Fry until they're golden, then add the cumin seeds, black mustard seeds and chilli flakes. Cook until their aromas are released. Scatter coriander on top of the dhal, then pour over the spiced butter.

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.

CREAMY BLACK DHAL WITH CRISPY ONIONS

Steps:

• Soak the beans in cold water for 4 hrs (or overnight, if you like).
• Melt the butter or ghee in a large pan, then add the onions, garlic and ginger, and cook slowly for 10-15 mins until the onions are starting to caramelise. Stir in the spices, coriander stalks and 100ml water. Pour into the slow cooker (or leave in the pan if cooking on the hob). Add the passata and whole red chilli. Drain the beans and add these too, then top up with 400ml water. Season well, set the slow cooker to Low and cook for 5-6 hrs (or cover and cook for 2 hrs over a very low heat on the hob).
• Once cooked, the dhal should be very thick and the beans tender. Stir in the cream, check the seasoning and serve in bowls with naan bread, rice or in a jacket potato, with your choice of toppings. To freeze the dhal, cool completely, then divide into containers or sandwich bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, defrost and heat thoroughly before eating.

ONE-PAN COCONUT DHAL

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear, then drain. Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan and cook the onions over a low heat for 10 mins until starting to brown, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for another 30 seconds. Scatter in the curry leaves, if using, and all the spices and cook for a few minutes more, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for a minute longer.
• Stir in the lentils, ensuring they're well coated in the spices, then pour over the coconut milk and 850ml water. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, then simmer for about 30 mins until the lentils are soft and soupy. Scoop out the whole chilli and discard, then season generously with salt. The dhal can now be left to cool, then frozen in portions, or as one batch in a large plastic container. Defrost completely before reheating in a pan over a low heat, adding more water to loosen if needed.
• Serve with a sprinkling of the coriander, sliced ginger and chilli, and drizzle with a bit more oil.

ONE-PAN LENTIL DHAL WITH CURRIED FISH & CRISPY SKIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the onions, ginger, oil, 2 tbsp curry powder, the mustard seeds and 1 tsp of the onion or nigella seeds with 5 tbsp water in a baking dish roughly 25 x 18cm. Roast in the oven for 10-15 mins until the onions are softened.
• Stir in the lentils, split peas or chana dhal lentils, 1 tsp of the turmeric, the coconut milk and half a can of water, and return to the oven for 30 mins. Meanwhile, mix together the remaining turmeric, onion seeds and curry powder and the yogurt. Carefully slice the skin off the fish fillets and place on kitchen paper to dry, then rub the yogurt all over the fish fillets and leave to marinate in the fridge while you cook the lentils.
• Give the dhal a good stir, mix in the tomatoes and juice from 1 lime, plus 1 tsp salt. Sit the fish fillets on top with a sprinkling of extra seasoning. Return to the oven and cook for a further 15 mins until the fish is done. Remove the dish from the oven and turn on the grill. Place the fish skin on a baking tray, sprinkle with some salt and grill, turning, until crispy. Snap into pieces and scatter over the fish with some coriander and the crispy onions. Serve with more yogurt, lime wedges, naan bread and mango chutney.

EASY DHAL SOUP

Steps:

• In large saucepan, warm olive oil and add garlic and onion. Saute, stirring 2-3 minutes. Add turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, and cumin.
• Stir in tomatoes, lentils, lemon juice, vegetable stock, coconut milk, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• Serve warm. You can garnish with lemon slices and cilantro if desired. Also good with naan bread.

RED LENTIL & SQUASH DHAL

Steps:

• Put the oil and the onion in a saucepan, and cook for 5 mins. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further 1 min, then stir in the spices and butternut squash. Combine everything together.
• Tip in the chopped tomatoes, stock and chutney, and season well. Bring to the boil, then gently simmer for about 10 mins. Add the lentils and simmer for another 20 mins until the lentils and squash are tender. Stir in the coriander and serve with warmed naan bread.

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.

AUBERGINE DHAL WITH TOMATO & ONION RAITA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan and fry the onion, garlic and ginger for 8 mins until softened. Tip in the turmeric, coriander, cumin and chilli and cook for 20 seconds, stirring occasionally.
• Pour in 800ml boiling water, stir in the bouillon, lentils and aubergine, and cover the pan and leave to simmer for 15 mins until the lentils are pulpy. Stir in the chickpeas with their water, if you need a little more liquid, and cook for 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, stir the red onion, coriander, mint and tomatoes with the yogurt to make a raita. Spoon the dhal into two bowls, top with raita and scatter with mint leaves.

URAD DHAL

Steps:

• Wash the dhal in at least three changes of cold water until the water runs clear. Put the rinsed dhal in a large bowl with plenty of cold water, cover and leave to soak at room temperature for 12-24 hrs.
• Drain and rinse the dhal, then tip into a large saucepan. Cover with 2 litres of cold water and bring to the boil, skimming any foam from the top. Turn down the heat, half-cover and gently simmer for 2½-3 hrs. If the water level starts to drop below the top of the dhal, add a splash more boiling water. Once cooked, the dhal should be completely soft and start breaking down into the liquid. If the liquid is still thin, simmer for an extra few mins and mash the dhal lightly to help thicken.
• Heat the oil in a small frying pan. Add the garlic and ginger and fry gently for 1-2 mins to soften but not brown. Add the ground coriander, chilli powder, turmeric and tomato purée with a large splash of water. Cook for 1-2 mins, then scrape into the pan of dhal and gently heat through.
• Add extra water if needed to make the dhal looser and creamy. Sprinkle over the garam masala and remove from the heat. Serve in bowls with rice topped with a swirl of coconut yogurt, a scattering of coriander and some lime wedges on the side for squeezing over.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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