Possibly stupid question for Indian cooks about lentils

[Anonymous]

My kids have gotten very into Indian food, so I'm looking for recipes.

One thing I'll find is that the same website or youtube channel will have recipes for dal, and recipes for lentil curries.

What's the difference between the two?

[Anonymous]

Dal is usually a quick and simple prep of boiled/cooked legumes or lentils, garnished with a tadka at the end. Lentil curries can be more hearty with vegetables/cream/coconut milk/spices added.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dal is usually a quick and simple prep of boiled/cooked legumes or lentils, garnished with a tadka at the end. Lentil curries can be more hearty with vegetables/cream/coconut milk/spices added.

That was what I thought but it doesn’t match the recipes I am seeing.

[Anonymous]

Curry is just a generic word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curry is just a generic word.

Isn’t dal too?

[Anonymous]

“Lentil curries” are not Indian dishes. They may use Indian spices but by and large they are fusion-y type dishes that sometimes have Indian flavors.

Dal is an Indian dish, fundamental to every Indian cuisine, and is prepared in different ways depending on the region. It is also an ingredient, and there are different types of dals (toor dal, moong dal, masoor dal, etc). It’s basically a soup. And in South India, it can be made like a stew with other vegetables (sambar).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Lentil curries” are not Indian dishes. They may use Indian spices but by and large they are fusion-y type dishes that sometimes have Indian flavors.

Dal is an Indian dish, fundamental to every Indian cuisine, and is prepared in different ways depending on the region. It is also an ingredient, and there are different types of dals (toor dal, moong dal, masoor dal, etc). It’s basically a soup. And in South India, it can be made like a stew with other vegetables (sambar).

How much butter is in dal makhni? I have tried to replicate it, but it never tastes as creamy as it does in the restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Lentil curries” are not Indian dishes. They may use Indian spices but by and large they are fusion-y type dishes that sometimes have Indian flavors.

Dal is an Indian dish, fundamental to every Indian cuisine, and is prepared in different ways depending on the region. It is also an ingredient, and there are different types of dals (toor dal, moong dal, masoor dal, etc). It’s basically a soup. And in South India, it can be made like a stew with other vegetables (sambar).

How much butter is in dal makhni? I have tried to replicate it, but it never tastes as creamy as it does in the restaurants.

There’s a fair amount of ghee and heavy cream in it. Vegan Richa has a decent healthier version.

[Anonymous]

We really enjoy restaurants’ dal makhni and I would like to try making this at home.

Where in MoCo can I buy ghee?

Might anyone have a recipe to share?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We really enjoy restaurants’ dal makhni and I would like to try making this at home.

Where in MoCo can I buy ghee?

Might anyone have a recipe to share?

Thanks.

Get ghee at Patel Brothers Indian Grocery in Gaithersburg among many places. Or make your own.

[Anonymous]

I think Whole Foods also sells ghee. Or you can just make it without ghee.

[Anonymous]

"Dal is a term for a variety of dishes made from dried, split pulses, like lentils, beans, and peas, that are slow-cooked until soft and porridge-like. The word "dal" comes from Sanskrit and means "to split".
It's a soup, so you don't pour it over rice.

"Curry" means a saucy dish in which you put meat or vegetables, on top of rice.

Dal is more watery than curry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Dal is a term for a variety of dishes made from dried, split pulses, like lentils, beans, and peas, that are slow-cooked until soft and porridge-like. The word "dal" comes from Sanskrit and means "to split".
It's a soup, so you don't pour it over rice.

"Curry" means a saucy dish in which you put meat or vegetables, on top of rice.

Dal is more watery than curry.

Dal chawal (lentils and rice) is the most common way to eat dal! Dal is not a soup at all, and is more like a curry in how it is consumed (with rice or roti).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We really enjoy restaurants’ dal makhni and I would like to try making this at home.

Where in MoCo can I buy ghee?

Might anyone have a recipe to share?

Thanks.

I realize that Chef Brar speaks in Hindi, but the CC is quite good, and the recipe is written out in the description.

[Anonymous]

Homemade ghee is easy.