Dal 101

Henry and I really enjoy food from India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. I can’t take the heat like he can, but I do enjoy a wide variety of the dishes. In an effort to make one meatless meal a week, I set about learning how to make Dal.

Dal can refer to the beans and legumes themselves or to the soups or dishes that include them. I am talking about the actual dish. Dal is usually a side, but I make it the main course dished over white basmati rice with a side salad and naan bread (which I get in the freezer section of Trader Joe’s – YUM!). My family is none the wiser.

A friend of mine told me a basic recipe which has served me well. She told me the recipe much like a kitchen cook does… I think her exact words were, “You just simmer onions, garlic, chicken broth, canned tomatoes, and the beans until it’s done. It’s really easy.”

“How much chicken broth?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” she said. “I just put some in.”

And so it went.

In an effort to get some semblance of a recipe, here is what I measured out the other day:

I put heated oil in a pan (I did not measure this… sorry. I just coated the bottom of the pan).

I diced one half of a large onion and sauteed them in the oil.

When the onions were almost softened, I minced in three good-sized garlic cloves into the pan.

Once the garlic and onions were nice and soft and smelling good, I added two cups of chicken broth, one 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes, and 1.25 cups of beans.

You can use any split pea, bean or legume including lentils I’m guessing. Here is the brand my friend recommended.

Stir all the ingredients together. Put a lid on it. When it comes to a boil, turn the heat to low and allow to simmer until beans are soft. My beans took nearly an hour and a half to soften. I ended up adding one cup of water about half way through to give them more liquid to absorb. If you want it soupier (that’s a word, right?) then add more liquid.

This dal is mild in taste, but oh-so-good. I’ve also added spinach to it and I was going to add potatoes this time, but decided for the post I better leave well enough alone. I bet you could add any cooked veggies at the end. You probably don’t want them cooking an hour and a half!

If anyone else has additions or corrections, please leave them in the comment section for me all of us to enjoy!