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Dal

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I made Dal recently (for the first time)from a fairly formulaiac recipe from on the line.

Just asking in case there are any folk on here with any tips to elevate it beyond nice.

Ta.


 
Posted : 15/07/2026 9:57 pm
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Did you cheat and use coconut milk? If not, try that.


 
Posted : 15/07/2026 10:21 pm
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I just cook Chana Dal with any recipe I can get online (most recipes are about the same), the only difference for me is to cook it the very traditional way using ghee (beef fat).    


 
Posted : 15/07/2026 10:49 pm
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Dishoom's slow cooked black Dal is fab. It's their version of Dal makhani.

Try this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/dal_makhani_67645


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 7:50 am
jezzasnr reacted
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Dahl is a good example of how simple dishes cooked well with quality fresh ingredients can be food of the gods. Use fresh when possible (eg ginger, garlic, chilli, turmeric etc) and cook it (especially the pulses) properly (which usually means slowly boiling to a purée). Dahl can be a simple single pan 5 ingredient meal or a complex piece of alchemy but should always be delicious 


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 1:41 pm
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Tarka Dahl

My starting point for all variations. I have Dahl twice a week apart from holidays.


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 2:38 pm
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Cheers folks 👌


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 3:41 pm
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Posted by: chewkw

cook it the very traditional way using ghee (beef fat). 

I thought ghee was clarified butter? Beef fat is tallow or dripping.


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 3:54 pm
peekay and kelvin reacted
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Posted by: mildbore

(which usually means slowly boiling to a purée)

S Asian colleagues say pressure cookers are the answer here

Posted by: blokeuptheroad

I thought ghee was clarified butter?

So did I.


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 5:12 pm
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As Marko's video shows it's the "Tadka" (the spices, etc. mixed in at the end) that really make the dish.

I thought ghee was clarified butter?

 

 

So did I.

It is. Well, different in production to clarified butter but similar.

 


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 6:07 pm
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Use the STW recipe! Very nice. https://singletrackworld.com/2022/10/issue-145-singletrack-kitchen-gloriumptious-dahl/


 
Posted : 16/07/2026 6:43 pm
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Posted by: blokeuptheroad

I thought ghee was clarified butter? Beef fat is tallow or dripping.

Yes, clarified butter but beef fat or dripping is fine too. 


 
Posted : 17/07/2026 1:15 am
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That Dishoom version is excellent! OH bought their recipe book just for that.


 
Posted : 17/07/2026 7:20 am
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I'm going to make a big batch of lentil curry today.

 

That Dishoom version is excellent! OH bought their recipe book just for that.

I've the PDF of anyone wants a copy. PM me.

 

 

 


 
Posted : 24/07/2026 10:21 am
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M for Murder.


 
Posted : 24/07/2026 12:30 pm
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I've had the Dishoom dal and it is very nice indeed.

However, the dal from Tamarind, Michelin star restaurant in London is something I will always remember and knocked Dishoom into a cocked hat. It was on a set meal offer and I can't find it on the menu now (although I'm sure their Mewari Dal Tadka would be awesome) and was just described as 'Lentils in brown gravy'. 

The master of understatement that wrote that would I'm sure describe Don Bradman as 'not bad, can hold an end up' and Keith Moon as 'mildly eccentric but can keep time'

It was so good I nearly cried when they took the bowl away, there was a tiny smear left I'm sure.


 
Posted : 24/07/2026 5:27 pm
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Keith Moon as 'mildly eccentric but can keep time'

Famously... Can't keep time.


 
Posted : 24/07/2026 9:00 pm