masala chickpeas
Dishes of spiced chickpeas can be found across all of India. This is the Punjabi chole, or channa masala, as it is more commonly known..
dal
Dal is stew-like, usually slow-cooked preparation of pulses.
Dal if found in all parts of India. For many of the largely vegetarian people of India it provides their main source of protein.
There are some very simple dishes here, and some can be quickly cooked. There are others that are far more complex in structure and require overnight cooking. Most of the recipes will require at least some soaking of the pulses and this will often need to be overnight.
chickpeas, tomato and spinach
This simple, wholesome and hearty dal recipe is one of our favourite ways to eat lentils. Chana palak masala is chickpeas with spinach, cooked in a tomato masala and is a great family dish for weeknight eating.
black-eyed pea curry
Recipes for black-eyed pea curry are common across all of India. This is the Goan way. It has plenty of chilli and coconut and a touch of tomato. This dish, alsande tonak, is a robust, spicy, hot preparation.
dal with egg
This dal with egg is a simple yellow dal with pickled chillies and a sliced omelette stirred through. Wholesome, flavourful everyday food.
dal makhani
This is a dish that showcases the taste and style of the Punjab. A smooth texture, delicate flavour layers and a hint of spice and smokiness makes this dish of lentils and red kidney beans a global favourite.
Bengali dal
Bengali dal is the local version of tarka dal. This peyaj dal has a slightly sweet taste due to the onions caramelised in jaggery which balances the bite of the chilli.
Gujarati mixed dal
This delicious, nourishing dish of mixed dal is a family favourite and is so healthy. Called keoti dal, it is from Gujarat and is quite robustly spiced.
dal and spinach
Creamy, nutritious, protein-rich, iron and mineral-rich, fibre-rich, this dal and spinach dish, or dal palang is probably the healthiest recipe in this cookbook.
tarka dal
Lentils, with spiced oil added just before serving is a dish eaten all across India. There are wide regional differences in tarka dal - this one is our family version and is typical of the Rajasthani cuisine.
yellow dal
A very simple and basic recipe for cooking dal. In this recipe, split pigeon peas are cooked with split red lentils to produce a simple dal. This dal uppu paruppu or dhandar can be used as the basis of other dishes, such as tarka dal, or dal with eggs. It also makes a great side dish. Another comfort food recipe.