Dal: Easy Indian Comfort Food

While Indian cuisine can be complex, Dal is a simple, comforting dish that acts as a centerpiece that binds everything together in a typical Indian meal. Each region has a unique take on the dish, and it can be made easily with a few pointers and a combination of spices like cumin, garam masala, and turmeric. Chitra Agrawal of Brooklyn Delhi guides us through making a delicious and healthy Indian Dal topped with spiced ghee.
Follow along in the video or check out Agrawal's recipe here:
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[@pinkmonkeybird2644]

I am not Indian, but I have been cooking and eating dal with or without tadka for decades. I’m a vegetarian and for me, Indian cuisine is one of the most approachable for meatless eating. So many recipes are naturally vegetarian and many are vegan, and so they just taste right. I just checked my recipe app and I have 39 distinct dal entries. They can be simple comfort food with gentle warm spices for when you are feeling unwell or they can be bold with multiple chilis and spices that will wake you up and surprise you with complex flavors and textures. It is comfort food that is both super easy to make and highly customizable to suit your own taste preferences.

[@flvffcinna]

Please share your spicy flavorful daal dishes, I’m really curious to know what they taste like. I’m tired of eating these comforty food in the middle of spring.

[@jmjassmanakgamer6370]

Nice

[@waterontherocks-ed5yf]

look up mexican vegetarian dishes. many people think it's meat based but we probably have as many veggie dishes! rural humble mexican dishes often don't have meat as it's considered a luxury. xx

[@pinkmonkeybird2644]

@@waterontherocks-ed5yf thank you, I will definitely search around for some good vegetarian Mexican recipes. I’m a novice cook for that cuisine, but I’m curious and will see what I find. I know a little about the 3 sisters from archeology classes - beans, corn, and squash - and love all 3. Can you recommend a recipe or a cookbook to help me get started?

[@fabiss23]

If you never had an authentic curry or a dal you are missing out a TON!!! go there and find a place where you can taste authentic indian cuisine!!!! i learned to make myself authentic indian foods and recipes with all the whistle and bells spices and condiments, its now one of my life's pleasures. if you cook this in your house beware, your house will smell like heaven!

[@Jumpoable]

Well, smell like India LOL.

[@dankzilla9727]

Shes absolutely right about Dal. Its cheap, healthy, easy to make and a alternate protein source!

[@misubi]

I like this lady’s down to earth vibe. More of her please.

[@SoulessStranger]

This video was really wholesome. I felt like cooking with a friend. I learned a lot about Indian food that I had no idea about and I would love more videos like this. Especially the little twists, the family stories, the explanation of some of the names and how things are used. I love Indian food to bits and will never forget about all the flavours and richness I experienced when I lived there. I hope to recreate it someday again back home and I will for sure try to cook this.

[@brianmoody2549]

It’s great to have someone who will take time out and share with everyone,about their experiences on how to create and cook their cuisine or their home.

[@bertoman1990]

If you are one to explore indian cuisine, then this is the best introduction for you

[@idontknowwhoiam8018]

sorry but thats bullshit

[@natw2109]

Wow, I love how approachable she made this dish and her insight offered on tradition vs her upbringing and that interpretation ❤

[@xAsianish]

It's very special to hear her add her peculiar twists, with the yogurt or the use of potato chips when out of the other thing. As a Viet person, I'll be sharing this to my family! Bought the ingredients to try it out. Can't wait!

[@Junjun47474]

Well how was it?

[@kazzban1]

I have been making dhal for about 15 years . However I am never really proud of it . I used this recipe today and it came out absolutely perfect ! Thank you so much

[@richardheidelberg5193]

I bought the Brooklyn Delhi and cooked the recipe. FANTASTIC!!

[@curtisthomas2670]

Dal is a popular staple in Trinidad and Tobago (due to half the population being descendants of indentured Indian laborers). The hot ghee/oil topping is known here as "chunkay". The most popular ways served are on white rice with a stewed green vegetable like spinach/amaranth, taro leaves/dasheen, bok choy or fried bitter gourd rings or fried fish. Dal is also popular as a base for soups. The yellow lentils are most widely used

[@Sango-po5pi]

But we spell is Dhal, not Dal.

[@veenamishra8950]

Chonk in North India where I grew up. Same thing

[@GauravThakur-f3r]

​@@veenamishra8950 Not in actual north only in cowbelt

[@hecatommyriagon655]

What's so beautiful about a recipie like this, is that you can easily expand and develop it. Add some chopped tomatoes, bell pepper and even a splash of coconut milk or add this or that and you have an infinite number of versions of this dish.

[@boreum789]

I recently messed up some recipes (I'm just starting to cook) so I was very stressed out about trying this one. But I actually did it!!!! And it tastes so good. My tastebuds are messed up after covid so I worried it will taste bland to me, but was simultaneously afraid of using some spices I never tried before (especially the asafetyda...). But the recipe was so easy and with all these small details that helped me through, and I'm so excited because it worked out and it tastes so good and I've never tasted something like that and am in complete awe that I'm the one who made it!!!!!!!!!

[@Uvin-n5v]

I just cooked a dal dish .. my way .. The usual whole spices + turmeric powder + 2 green chillies. I throw in 1 cube of anchovy , orange rind - finely chopped. Then i added some water for a thinner gravy + potato + tomatoes + eggplant + salmon belly. I cook everything w ghee .. i love ghee. One dish meal + 1 orange .. smacking delicious !!

[@NC-qc7wd]

She is pretty awesome, so much detail in this and you know she is doing it perfectly.

[@buzzingtruth]

Love this authentic representation of dal chawal, i also eat mine with achaar/chutney for tang, papad for crunch, yogurt for cooling effect, and maybe some raw onion slices in some bites. ❤

[@govindaraju-fr6lm]

0:02

[@sameel]

More desi food pls

[@kvin9210]

@@ankitpsk why not? Is daal not a desi food?

[@eblake3617]

YAS!!!!!!!

[@vedangarekar1390]

Dude do you hear yourself ? Dal is THE desi food. And Punjab is part of the South Asian belt where it's popular.

[@AtulSharma-px3js]

​@@ankitpsk abe anpad Desi means South Asia

[@yugmathakkar4023]

@@vedangarekar1390 Dal is popular throughout the Indian Subcontinent, what are you on about? I'm a Gujarati and not one day in my life have I not had Gujarati Dal.

[@jakeMontejo3272]

I’ve been wanting to make this for forever and a day. Then this popped up on my feed. God must be telling me something.

[@RachelSimons-t6m]

Yay!!!! Love Chitra! This video is fantastic. I can attest that her Tomato Achaar is so good I eat it by itself from the jar with a spoon!

[@bcdznxy-jr3hx]

My meals are so good these days .. i dont care to eat out anymore !! These indian dal dishes are super .. Also , i throw veggies into the dal .. i dont eat meat. God bless you , india.

[@indianjanesmith]

Cook rice + dal + veggies together and you'll have yourself a khichdi - a tasty and nutritious meal that unites an incredibly food-diverse India!

[@TheMovingEye]

The concept of flavor oil to finish a dish is a thing even in Hungary of all places. There you will put in garlic but most importantly powdered paprika in the oil. It elevates even simple stews like potatoe or beans to something amazing.

[@Fragrantbeard]

I've never considered doing that before, except in Indian food - thank you for the wonderful idea! We can all learn so much from each other.

[@JerichoStephen]

The aroma in indian bazar or market is out of this world ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🌷🌸🌹🥀🍃

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Just made this, it's such a forgiving and versatile recipe, it's my go to for lazy days. Also good for babies!

[@mysurrealsynapse]

It's the most personal cooking video I have seen. 🥰🥰🥰

[@shantolion1576]

I love Indian food i make samomsa, batta warra and dall, i also make a good curry. Definitely the best food

[@jangeertbruggink7040]

Nice fast easy and delicious, perfect starting point into the world of dahl.

[@davebhojwani9120]

Love your explanation of culture, food and textures. I eat exactly the way you eat with Dahi and achar

[@Livoirienyvoitrien]

I want to eat my screen. Sensual, peaceful cuisine. Namasté❤

[@soniyasherpa1999]

Such a sweet person!! I'm trying this atm!

[@truecauseofchaos]

This looks great! Similar to how I make mine; I use yellow split peas, and I add the flavoured oil to the pot. I use curry powder instead of garam masala too. May have to try this version!

[@SamSam-qm1li]

I loved this. Nothing crazy, something I can make at home

[@MrCoolangel9927]

I learned so much! More videos with her please!

[@كارولين-م9ب]

You're so pretty. The food looks really good.

[@Jumpoable]

Simple version for non-Indians & beginning cooks. Well done chef.🙏

[@katrussell6819]

I just tried dal with a box mix of spices. Wow. Finally got it right!!

[@sugaredviolets2085]

That pan trick-THANK YOU. ❤

[@MotoM0nk]

I love her vibes - subscribed

[@aniljayakar]

I love her energy, she’s invited to the cookout 🫶🏾🙌🏾

[@renujayajaya]

Totally agree about eating with the hand!!! I loooove the papadam:)

[@harshibhatnagar6751]

Important takeaway that I feel is missing from KZbin Indian cooking: “Garam Masala” is a finishing spice and is used sparingly!! Please don’t use it by the spoonful!!

[@ShubhoBose]

depends on the dish you're cooking and the region. it can be in a marinade too.

[@HELL-BENT74]

More masala the better, otherwise it would end up tasting rubbish like British food

[@zumamaya2396]

😂😂😂 I made that mistake already

[@zumamaya2396]

​@@HELL-BENT74Racist😂😂 but true. I'm an ex Brit.

[@HELL-BENT74]

@@zumamaya2396 I was born in England 49 years ago where I still live

[@DavidBarryViens]

Came to get a recipe, stay because I fell in love. Thank you!

[@illatease]

Thank you for the recipe and explanation. 😊

[@eanderson1974]

That Dal looks so good. 😋

[@buddychaw-chaw3453]

i love this teaching ...

[@peterbeggs6759]

First time watcher of your vid's. So down to earth and informative. I really like it!!!! Looking forward to seeing more. From a 5th generation half Asian Irish born in Australia. Curries rock...

[@sophienavarro4317]

This is amazing! I made it last night! So delicious!❤

[@mogmbo123]

You look a bit like the Cooking Diva Padma lakshmi( so beautiful with the lovely dusky skin and the lovely pitch black wavy hair ) I enjoyed making this Daal and her instructions were superb and quite easy, loved the Ginger grater thing which I used too in this recipe, overall a yummy recipe and.am glad I followed her version, will make it often now. Jai Hind.

[@jfb2292]

Love the vid. Love the help with my Dal and the tadka! Thx Chitra!

[@giannalomeli2216]

love her 🧡 those brooklyn deli sauces are amazing!! i love the mustard one on hard-boiled eggs

[@swagmama408]

love her! cant wait to try (: I"m Mexican but absolutely love Indian food. Hoping to master it at home!!!

[@sptldsbltyThkmss]

I think I'm in love 🤩

[@coucoubrandy1079]

I love dal and chapatis ! It's delicious 😋 with rice too

[@aaykay4060]

Daal and rice is my go to comfort food

[@ailynbalarido4360]

Thank you for sharing your idea to cook I am from Philippines and I want to follow your recipe

[@nni9310]

Love dal. Thanks for posting this.

[@saroashaengineer540]

In my lentils when they’re boiling I add in 5-6 cherry tomatoes, and one small sweet potato and blend it - gives the daal a richer flavor

[@hambonelouis]

Love her vibe

[@AVVA999]

Such a amazing recipe

[@neverstopdreaming998]

Omg I love your achaar! I didn’t know it was you so it was such a nice surprise at the end. I tried making my own lemon aachar about a year ago I think I’ll go again asap

[@vsssa1845]

yoghurt and pickle, and dal. true indian

[@allinsonsherratt418]

Good to see a Dal without curry spices. I prefer this "yellow" version ❤

[@ameermoavia9286]

Thanks from a Pakistani , I actually needed it as I'm abroad and have to cook myself now😟

[@nasimnoormohamed8215]

Very nicely explained for non curry making people. Thank you.

[@indiradmello1004]

This is my favorite dish I use pink dhal God bless

[@lauriegiroux1616]

WOW, you are doing this right!!!

[@rubenrosales7229]

Thank you dal, poirier lentil recipe looks delicious and happy Easter.

[@Selloutian]

This episode was awesome

[@DevKumar-2802]

Wow amazing 👍🏻🍷🎩

[@wheelsoncrisis]

yeah Shes truly dil se desi❤

[@RenzoVDK]

Ok, I got the craving now.

[@shanemontgomery8846]

OMG I love this host!

[@andrejmucic5003]

Thadka! I like this word!

[@jauzihalwa]

"Indian/South Asian food is hyper-regional" will be using that a lot!

[@canaan_perry]

Awesome - thanks for sharing

[@Delorian82]

Amazing. Great recipe and production

[@learnurduwithsara1068]

such an informative video. I always add chilli flakes in the masla.

[@Brian-bw3uu]

My go to dish when I'm dieting, or just broke, is dal tadka, although I don't know if it's really a tadka because I just throw everything in the pressure cooker. Anyway, it's cheap, nutrient dense and quick cooking 😊

[@christophercasarez5687]

Love this

[@katyburrows1079]

This looks amazing I love Indian food ❤️❤️

[@JerichoStephen]

When we use the hand to eat taste is different . .also makes the mouth of kids watery❤. I used to feed my kids with my extra clean hands . Only use spoon for apple sauce .For their food since they started to have so calked solid food . 1 organic chicken breast 2 oz of Spinach 4 oz of green lintel good amount of salt so can help them to digest the food A touch of turmeric A touch white peper when it was cooked soft , then put it in the mixer to purée them , then keep it in ice container for freezer , after they got so firm then put it container in freezer , each time my babylove were hungry get 2 cube ,melt it in microwave & feed them . every fruit & food was organic , that was 24 years ago 🎉😂❤

[@shantolion1576]

I love Indian food but the hand eating looks disgusting

[@bbay1977]

I would so order that at a restraunt. I make my own curry chicken but I dont think i will try to make this. I would rather order it and enjoy the flavors 😍

[@CoronaryTen]

To be honest this is easier than chicken curry. :) Also, The most plain version has only turmeric as a spice, so might not need to buy too many spices. Garlic can be used in tadka instead of the other spices. Do give it a go. As she mentioned, it's very difficult to mess this. :)

[@bbay1977]

@@CoronaryTen I just may try it, after all like she said I can't mess it up 😆.

[@Dreyno]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3fdfH5re6-UbZo Another dal recipe. I’ve made it loads of times and it’s amazing. The fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) is the secret ingredient. Makes it magical. It’s very easy to make and totally worth the effort.

[@indianjanesmith]

​@@Dreynokasuri methi is a magical ingredient indeed. Do keep in mind tho that kasuri methi is DRIED fenugreek leaves. It is used to flavour many Indian dishes in addition to spices. Fresh leaves are simply known as "methi". Methi is used to make sabzi (literally: vegetable), thepla, etc. Knowing the correct terminology will help u in Indian stores..enjoy the amazing food of my country ❤

[@ihmpall]

Secret of Indias 100 Olympic medals . Vegetarian food

[@JerichoStephen]

❤ Namaste , I made your recipe yesterday 8/22 it was yummilicious & mamalicious & babylicious we can not have hot peper Indeed it was awesomelicioue to lady & mother with ❤ love🌷🌹🥀💖

[@priyankandatta5644]

while you can just have daal with roti or rice, but mostly in india, daal is a medium, rather than a dish in itself. See, rice is dry right. So what we do is mix daal which is a liquid with rice and then mix some curry for each bite.

[@shirleycastle5170]

Your mini grater is actually for grating chocolate for decorating on drinks or desserts. Perfect for what your Mum used it for.

[@RadheKrishna-ri3xg]

What a lovely lady, and so courageous. It's amazing what she has achieved and turned her whole life around. Thank you for posting, I really enjoy your videos.

[@resurrectionist1]

Tomato Achaar for the win!

[@evelynwall7470]

Rad as hell, beautiful food.

[@waheedpendu1841]

Ek Naya subscriber waheed pendu bahut khoob video shukriya

[@AZguy44]

Nice video!

[@methmatice]

cuteness overload with the eating part

[@jeetenzhurlollz8387]

with the exception of the yogurt we eat it exactly the same in Mauritius

[@Themantoday]

Very nice, thank you. Hare Krsna 🎉

[@WaheedKhan-sd3jf]

This was good!

[@thomasdrew1159]

Great video!

[@punchim1387]

Nice ! any other recipe with chickpeas or different type of lentils ? I am struggling finding good dahl

[@khushboo200]

Use any lentil of choice, follow the same recipe. You can try Arhar daal also called the yellow daal, or try moong daal, or black masoor.

[@indianjanesmith]

U can use the same recipe for any dal: tur dal, moong dal, masoor dal (I can't recall the English names, sorry). In India, chickpeas (which are a type of beans, not lentils) are sold in dried form, not canned form. Dried = hard -> needs pre-soaking + takes longer to cook. A chickpea gravy dish is not called dal. It is called "chhole" and it is made from onions, tomatoes, spices, etc. Dal refers to lentil dishes only. Search for "chhole" on youtube. You'll find tons of recipes

[@indianjanesmith]

Chickpea salad with raw onions, tomatoes, cucumber + Indian spices like cumin powder, chaat masala is great too. Try it!

[@beaubradley9539]

Some say they're still "melding" flavors in the Ganges to this day.

[@thealandude9146]

Looks lovely

[@2075vj]

Can you share with us the site where we can purchase the spice containers. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to make this.

[@raj.dabholkar]

www.amazon.com/King-International-Stainless-Through-containers/dp/B08N47YVFZ/ref=sxin_21_ac_m_mf_brs?ac_md=1-0-S2luZyBJbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFs-ac_m_mf_brs_brs&content-id=amzn1.sym.bdcfcd12-fa22-4f24-ada0-745bc245ffce%3Aamzn1.sym.bdcfcd12-fa22-4f24-ada0-745bc245ffce&crid=RL7KTRL82IYR&cv_ct_cx=indian+spice+box&keywords=indian+spice+box&pd_rd_i=B08N47YVFZ&pd_rd_r=ba96e187-1ed1-4448-b5bd-1978413f4169&pd_rd_w=nS40b&pd_rd_wg=CK2mC&pf_rd_p=bdcfcd12-fa22-4f24-ada0-745bc245ffce&pf_rd_r=R1P9ZM5CG38CNSKWJYGH&qid=1681675226&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=indian+spice+box%2Caps%2C338&sr=1-1-0e506260-0216-4180-8324-d4dd69ff9284

[@Realatmx]

Just use small empty containers 😁 no need to waste money