Dals, Pulses And Legumes are an integral part of an Indian Diet. For vegetarians, it is the main source of protein and is consumed in different forms across India.There are various ways in which Dals and Lentils are cooked across India and Dal recipes varies from each region depending on the use of local masala and style of cooking.
Most often a meal is incomplete without a Dal. Dals can be eaten with hot steaming Rice or any Indian Bread. Therefore, here we have lined up a collection of Dal and Legumes Recipes From Across India which you can make and serve to your family and friends for a wholesome meal.
We have included recipes from a variety of Dals such as Toor Dal, Masoor Dal, Moong Dal, Chana Dal, Urad Dal. Other than Dals, we have included Legumes such as Rajma, Kabuli Chana, Lobia and more. We have added an assortment of Dal & Legume Recipes to break the monotony of cooking the same kinds of Dals and Legumes everyday for your regular meals.
When we talk about Dals, Dal Fry and Dal Tadka are the most popular Dal Recipe that most of us make at home or order at a restaurant. Dal Makhani, Maa Ki Dal and Panchmel Dal are other popular Dal recipes from across India which are made in many North Indian households. Rajma Chawal or Chole Chawal, are classic combination in North India, and you will even find them on the street of Delhi, especially during Winter.
In Andhra, Dals are called as Pappu. Palak Pappu, Tomato Pappu and Gongura Pappu are popular Andhra Dal Recipes that is made in every household. In Tamil Nadu, Dal is known as "Parappu" and in Kerala Dal is called as "Parippu" and "Belle" in Karnataka. Dals in the South India are not limited to make only Sambars, but are added along with vegetables to make delicious Kootu curries. These tasty Kootus can be served with Phulkas and Parathas as well.
Dals are often pressure cooked with tomato and onions and flavoured with ginger or garlic and spiced with green chillies or red chilli powder. A tempering of cumin seeds, and asafoetida is added in the North and in the South curry leaves, mustard seeds and red chillies are added to the tempering. The same dal when mixed with different ingredients and spices give you different flavours and that why dals are so popular across India. Dals and Legumes can be mixed with vegetables and green leafy vegetables to increase the nutrition in them.
Choose among our amazing Dal Recipes and Legume Recipes to make nourishing dishes to compliment yours and your families diet. Make for lunch or dinner and serve and enjoy with rice or chapati.
1. Toor Dal Recipes
Toor Dal is known by different names like Tuvar Dal, Arhar Dal, Split Pigeon Pea, Yellow Pigeon Peas, Tur Dal, Thuvaram Paruppu and Kandhi Pappu. It is one of the most widely used Dals in India. The famous Gujarati Dal which has a sweet, spicy and tangy flavour is a part of everyday meals in Gujarat. Punjabi Dal Tadka and Rajasthani Panchmel Dal, all use Toor Dal. Even the famous, Awadhi Style Sultani Dal Recipe is a rich and creamy Toor Dal recipe.
2.Yellow Moong Dal Recipes
Split and husked Moong Beans are called as Mung Dal. Yellow Moong Dal is low in calories and high in protein. It is easily digested by the body and is used widely across India to make everyday dals. Methi Moong Dal is a diabetic friendly recipe. Lehsuni Moong Dal Tadka Recipe is a comforting Dal Recipe that can be made quickly. Many Kootus and Kuzhambu Recipes use Moong dal as this sal cooks easily and tastes great with any vegetable.
3.Green Moong Dal Recipes
Moong Beans or Green Gram are one of those Dals that are easy to digest. This legume is widely cultivated in India and is used in many Savoury Dals. Green Moong Dal takes in flavours of all the spices really well and taste great when made with coconut in recipes such as Kerala Cherupayar Curry or Mangalorean Padengi Gassi. Dhaba Style Green Moong Dal Tadka Recipe is a great Dal Recipe which goes well with both Phulkas and Rice.
4. Masoor Dal Recipes
Masoor Dal are of two types,whole or sabut and split which comes in various hues of pink, red or orange. Masoor Dal is a good source of protein, essential amino acids, potassium, iron, fiber and vitamin B. Moringa Masoor Dal Recipe is a diabetic friendly recipe. Masoor Dal Gassi, which is a Mangalorean delicacy is a tangy Masoor Dal Recipe made with coconut.
5. Chana Dal Recipes
Chana Dal is also called as Split Chickpeas or Split Bengal Gram. The nutty flavour of Chana Dal goes great with any vegetables. Chana Dal is a widely used Dal and the most popular Bengali Cholar Dal uses the same Chana Dal. Also the popular, Sindhi Dal Pakwan Recipe uses Chana Dal which is usually had for Breakfast in Sindhi households..
6. Urad Dal recipes
Rich in Fibre, Urad Dal is mostly known as Black Gram or Black Lentil in English. In Punjab, it is called as Kali Dal or Maa Ki Dal as the famous Maa Ki Dal Recipe is made using the same Urad Dal. The husked Urad Dal which is white in color is also available as whole or split.
7. Rajma Recipes
Kidney Beans or Rajma has an earthy flavour and when cooked have a soft creamy and silky texture. They are made into delicious gravies across India and Rajma Chawal is a famous dish across Punjab and North of India. Rajma needs to be soaked before hand to be cooked perfectly. It is a great source of protein too.
8.Kabuli Chana Recipes
Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans or Safed Chana or Chole are popular all over the world. Kabuli Chana is another legume which needs to be soaked for sometime in order to cook them well. Punjabi Chole or Punjabi Chana Masala are popular Curry Recipes from North India and if you are looking for South Indian Recipe then you must try Chickpea Coconut Milk Curry and Mangalorean Chana Gassi.
9. Kala Chana Recipes
Brown or Black Chickpeas or Kala Chana are another high protein legume. Kala Chana also needs to be soaked before you start cooking with them. You can make some lip smacking South Indian Recipes from Kala Chana such as Sweet & Spicy Kadala Curry Recipe With Tamarind and Coconut Milk. If you want to make something North Indian, then you can give Amritsari Chole With Kala Chana Recipe a try.
10. Lobia Recipes
Black Eyed Beans or Lobia or Chawli is used to make a variety of curries across India. They are softer beans in nature and need not be soaked. Try and make No Onion No Garlic Lobia Masala Recipe In Electric Pressure Cooker or Punjabi Lobia Masala Recipe which are quick and easy and can be serve with both Phulka or Rice.
11. Horse Gram Recipes
Horse Gram come with various health benefits and has been used since ancient time in India to cure various ailments. It is a good source of calcium.Horse Gram is also rich in protein, iron and calcium among other nutrients. Horse Gram is known as Kulthi in Hindi, Kulthi Kalai in Bengali, Kollu in Tamil, Ulavalu or Guggillu in Telugu.
