How do you cook Dal ?

Virgil Tracy · 10-07-2011, 16:51

I'm having trouble cooking a good dal .

I've read some online stuff but there's a lot of contradictions , for instance how long should you leave them soak ?

how long should you simmer them ?

should you cook them with spices etc. or on their own first ?

the ones I made I simmered for at least 30 minutes but they never went soft or creamy as the recipes say .

and how do you remove "hard kernels?" I've tried but I really couldn't feel any difference and they're so tiny anyway .

stud u like · 10-07-2011, 17:01

What kind of dal are you talking about?

For Urad Dal soak for eight hours in about six cups (USA) of water.
Mung Dal soak overnight.
Chana Dal soak for 2-3 hours

Some recommend you add some milk or cream to your dal to make it creamier. Half an hour is too short,you need to cook it until it is thick and soupy.

Ghee usually goes in first,then spices,then add your soaked dal.

Most recommend a pressure cooker or slow cooker when cooking dal.

grassmarket · 10-07-2011, 17:26

The simplest one is red lentil daal - no soaking needed. Just boil the lentils with powdered turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli powder - it's done in half a hour. Fry up an onion, chilli and garlic and stir it in. Cheap as anything and hardly any work.

Virgil Tracy · 10-07-2011, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by stud u like

What kind of dal are you talking about?

For Urad Dal soak for eight hours in about six cups (USA) of water.
Mung Dal soak overnight.
Chana Dal soak for 2-3 hours

Some recommend you add some milk or cream to your dal to make it creamier. Half an hour is too short,you need to cook it until it is thick and soupy.

Ghee usually goes in first,then spices,then add your soaked dal.

Most recommend a pressure cooker or slow cooker when cooking dal.

it's called :

Urid Dall Chilka

Mongodude · 10-07-2011, 18:19

always at the end heat up oil and put in more spices and curry leaves and then pour it into the dal and stir and serve, that how my uncles family does it, really boss.

c4rv · 10-07-2011, 22:59

As stud you like mentioned, your best bet is to use a pressure cooker in salted water and cook till they are soft, you don't need to add cream or milk or anything such thing.

Then simply curry with your chosen recipe.

If you are looking for a creamy soup style texture then I would go with red lentil next time. Pressure cook until soft, then fry cumin, mustard seeds in oil, add dhal, garlic, ginger, chilli, turmeric, salt and canned tomatoes. Add fresh coriander at end.

10-07-2011, 16:51	#1
Virgil Tracy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 24,023	How do you cook Dal ? I'm having trouble cooking a good dal . I've read some online stuff but there's a lot of contradictions , for instance how long should you leave them soak ? how long should you simmer them ? should you cook them with spices etc. or on their own first ? the ones I made I simmered for at least 30 minutes but they never went soft or creamy as the recipes say . and how do you remove "hard kernels?" I've tried but I really couldn't feel any difference and they're so tiny anyway .

10-07-2011, 17:01	#2
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	What kind of dal are you talking about? For Urad Dal soak for eight hours in about six cups (USA) of water. Mung Dal soak overnight. Chana Dal soak for 2-3 hours Some recommend you add some milk or cream to your dal to make it creamier. Half an hour is too short,you need to cook it until it is thick and soupy. Ghee usually goes in first,then spices,then add your soaked dal. Most recommend a pressure cooker or slow cooker when cooking dal.

10-07-2011, 17:26	#3
grassmarket Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 23,321	The simplest one is red lentil daal - no soaking needed. Just boil the lentils with powdered turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli powder - it's done in half a hour. Fry up an onion, chilli and garlic and stir it in. Cheap as anything and hardly any work.

10-07-2011, 17:39	#4
Virgil Tracy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 24,023	Quote: Originally Posted by stud u like What kind of dal are you talking about? For Urad Dal soak for eight hours in about six cups (USA) of water. Mung Dal soak overnight. Chana Dal soak for 2-3 hours Some recommend you add some milk or cream to your dal to make it creamier. Half an hour is too short,you need to cook it until it is thick and soupy. Ghee usually goes in first,then spices,then add your soaked dal. Most recommend a pressure cooker or slow cooker when cooking dal. it's called : Urid Dall Chilka

10-07-2011, 18:19	#5
Mongodude Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NE England Posts: 5,431	always at the end heat up oil and put in more spices and curry leaves and then pour it into the dal and stir and serve, that how my uncles family does it, really boss.

10-07-2011, 22:59	#6
c4rv Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Essex Posts: 16,218	As stud you like mentioned, your best bet is to use a pressure cooker in salted water and cook till they are soft, you don't need to add cream or milk or anything such thing. Then simply curry with your chosen recipe. If you are looking for a creamy soup style texture then I would go with red lentil next time. Pressure cook until soft, then fry cumin, mustard seeds in oil, add dhal, garlic, ginger, chilli, turmeric, salt and canned tomatoes. Add fresh coriander at end.

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How do you cook Dal ?