13 urad dal recipes

Dahi vada made with urad and moong dal, deep-fried into golden fritters, soaked in water, then served in spiced yogurt. A classic Indian appetizer with creamy, tangy contrast.

Katirikkai thogyal is a smoky South Indian eggplant chutney made with roasted eggplant, urad dal, dried red chilies, tamarind, and a pinch of hing. Coarsely blended and served alongside rice and ghee.

A fragrant South Indian curry powder toasted from whole spices: cumin, black mustard, fenugreek, curry leaves, dried chili, and urad dal, ground fresh. Keeps for four months in a jar.

String beans and coconut koora, a South Indian stir-fry with green beans, toasted chana dal, urad dal, mustard seeds, and coconut. A quick vegetable side dish with a crunchy tadka topping.

Vellirikkai thogayal is a South Indian cucumber chutney with mustard seeds, urad dal, methi, dried red chilies, and sesame oil. A tangy, crunchy condiment for rice.

South Indian upma made with cream of wheat, mustard seeds, urad dal, cashews, green peas, and green chilies. A savory, spiced breakfast or snack that comes together quickly.

Gujarati dal: a Western Indian lentil stew with eggplant, zucchini, and tomato, tempered with mustard seed, cumin, and asafetida in ghee. Vegetarian, warmly spiced, served over rice.

Ulundu vadai, crispy South Asian urad dal fritters shaped into little doughnut rings, spiced with chili, curry leaves, and ginger, then deep-fried golden. Crunchy outside, fluffy within, with chutney.

A delicious curry dish made with green lentils and mixed vegetables.

Another quick and easy way to spice up sauté of green beans. Sesame oil, ginger and a chili garlic sauce, topped with sesame seeds give haricot vert (green beans) more zing.

This is great spread across the top of broiled salmon or halibut fillets. You can also toss it with pasta as a simple side dish, or add broiled or steamed slices of chicken, seafood, or vegetables to make a main dish.

Use this stock as a base for mushroom soup or a mushroom sauce. For the latter, deglaze the pan with some of the stock after sautéing the protein. Then add sautéed mushrooms and either reduce the fluid or add flour to make a gravy.

Easy Italian seasoned broccoli. Boiled (or steamed) then tossed in aromatics.