20 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.

Pitlai is a South Indian lentil stew with bitter gourd (karela), chickpeas, tamarind, and a ground coconut-spice paste. A tangy, complex vegetarian curry with toor dal and jaggery.

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.

Indian whole urad dal slow-cooked with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and green chilies, finished with a ghee tadka of cumin and fried onions. A hearty, protein-rich dal with deep, earthy flavor.

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.

Vangi bath: South Indian rice dish with eggplant, toasted coconut, and a fresh-ground spice blend of coriander, urad dal, dried chiles, cinnamon, and hing. Vegetarian one-pot from Karnataka.

Pearl barley and green lentils simmer with onions and mint in this traditional Iranian soup where turmeric and gentle spices create warming, earthy comfort in every spoonful.

A quick South Indian-style bell pepper curry with mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, peanuts, and chickpea flour for a nutty golden crust. Ready in 15 minutes. Serve with dal and rice.

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

A delicious rice dish made with green and red lentils, cashew nuts and seedless raisins.

Spiced cabbage curry with mustard seeds, cumin, and turmeric cooked until tender and golden. This South Indian vegetarian dish is aromatic, healthy, and ready in 40 minutes.

A delicious and tasty dish made with yellow split peas, spinach and a variety of spices.

This delicious treat can easily be made at home. You can change up the flavor by adding different extracts or add-ins like cookie crumbles, fruit, chopped nuts, candy, etc.---the possibilities are endless.

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.