Dahl

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

I think of Dahl as main in its own right, apparently it’s a side and I’m weird. Opinions please!

I thought you meant Roald!

I think the dish is spelt Dhal?

I like it as a main. Really warm and filling

It’s a main for me

@NeverTwerkNaked

I think the dish is spelt Dhal?

I like it as a main. Really warm and filling

There are lots of ways to spell it.

Dal
Daal
Dhal

Deliciously Ella uses the op’s spelling...

deliciouslyella.com/recipes/coconut-lentil-dahl/

It's a main for me and one of my most favourite things to eat. I STILL have never found the perfect recipe to make it myself so only have it when I order takeaway or eat out.

Main or side not fussed!!

I love dhal, rice and Chablis! I do think it could do with a small spicy side though otherwise it becomes a little bland. I buy extra from the takeaway and freeze as I haven't mastered cooking it yet.

@Takethewinefromtheswine

It's a main for me and one of my most favourite things to eat. I STILL have never found the perfect recipe to make it myself so only have it when I order takeaway or eat out.

Ditto!

@orangenasturtium

It's a main in India.

I guess the reason people think of it as a side in the UK is because most British Indian restaurants list it as a side dish on the menu. Probably because in the 1950s when they first became common, very few people would have wanted a vegetarian main course and would have thought of a vegetable/vegetable dish as being a side dish. I believe early Indian restaurants in the UK categorised small dishes as starters, vegetable dishes as sides etc to fit with British cultural expectations of a restaurant menu, even if that was not how they were served in India. Plus, if you present the dishes as a starter/side etc because that was people expected to order, they would order more...

Actually it’s not seen as a main dish. There many types of Dhal dishes. I have several South East Asian friends and they usually have an assortment of dishes that are mixed together on a plate or eaten separately.

Both. I love it. Want some now!

@mandarinpink

I think it's a lunch main, but a dinner side. Realize that sounds ridiculous.

Not at all ridiculous - I agree!

Another for never finding the right recipe (and I’ve tried loads

Anyone got any recommendations ?

It's transliterated from another alphabet so the spelling isn't really set.

Would love a recipe! Very interesting about the menus. I'd never seen it in this context and only come across it as a main. I've had it from Hare Krishnas before and in a vegan cafe. Always delicious. When I've tried to make it at home it's bland and insipid. Probably the quality of the spices is to blame.

Side

I start by making it as a main and next day make an extra little curry like mushrooms to go with it. I even turn leftover Dahl into soup which is lush.

@BertieBotts

It's transliterated from another alphabet so the spelling isn't really set.

Would love a recipe! Very interesting about the menus. I'd never seen it in this context and only come across it as a main. I've had it from Hare Krishnas before and in a vegan cafe. Always delicious. When I've tried to make it at home it's bland and insipid. Probably the quality of the spices is to blame.

Do you fry the spices off in the oil to start with? It makes a huge difference to their flavour

I'm now going to have to make some tomorrow for dinner

Main with rice / naan / bhaji / chutneys on the side (or all of the above). It's protein-rich so I find it really filling!

I have it as a side for dinner, but then I’ll have it for lunch the next day with flat bread and a oniony type salad. Just dal and rice for dinner with nowt else would be a bit boring IMO

Definitely a main. I cook the red lentils separately with a cinnamon stick, cloves and bay leaves and then temper the spices (curry leaves, cumin, ground coriander, free cardamom, ground fenugreek, nigella, hing/asafoetida and anything else I fancy) in butter/veg oil. Then I add ginger and garlic paste to the spices for a further couple of minutes and then add all of this to the lentils with some tomato purée and quartered fresh tomatoes. I also add fresh chillies to taste and leave to simmer until it’s thickened.

Green cardamom not free!

It's a side to me, I wouldn't want it as a main.

Main in my house (I spell it dal!). But I do make it thick enough to stand a spoon up in with three types of lentil so it’s pretty filling! I’ve had it as a side from a takeaway though, it’s usually runnier than I make it so feels less like a main dish.

It goes well with (Ma)Tilda rice.

We eat dhal sometimes as a main, sometimes as a side. I'm Indian, it's considered a staple food in our culture but I can't stand the fucking stuff, but I have to make an effort to eat it though because its healthy. Lol

Dhal (or dal, or daal) a main in my (vegan) household, and my family is Indian. There are heaps of different types of dhal by the way, based on the pulse type you use - red lentils, black lentils, green lentils, split peas, etc. To make it tasty and substantial (and vary the flavour), cook a masaala to stir in before serving - onion, spices, garlic, chilli, and vegetables such as tomatoes, aubergine or okra.

And now I’m hungry

There is an incredible dahl recipe in the Prashad cookbook that I'd recommend to all those asking - I also couldn't find one I liked as much as eating it when out, until I tried this one! Now I make it all the time (freezes well too).