Dhal Balls With Yogurt Recipes

DAHI BHALLA (FRIED LENTIL BALLS IN YOGURT)

Steps:

• 1. Wash and soak the urad and mung lentils overnight in a large bowl with enough water to cover the lentils. In the morning, drain the excess liquid in a sieve or colander, reserving a few tablespoons to add to the lentils while grinding if needed.
• 2. Grind the lentils in a food processor to get a thick batter. You can add the reserved liquid from step 1 while grinding but the consistency needs to be thick.
• 3. Transfer the batter to another bowl and whisk with a pair of electric beaters until the batter becomes light and airy (8-10 minutes).
• 4. Add 1 tbsp onion paste, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp cumin powder and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Mix well.
• 5. Heat the oil in a wok or karahi to medium-hot and drop tablespoonfuls of the batter in it. Wait for a few seconds then flip with the help of a slotted spoon. Let the balls turn golden brown and take them out with the spoon on some kitchen paper.
• 6. Take some hot water in a large bowl, dissolve 1 tsp salt in it, and drop the fried balls in it. Let the balls soak in the water for 10 minutes.
• 7. Take one ball in the palm of your hand and squeeze out all the water gently without breaking the ball. Repeat for all of the balls.
• 8. Take the yogurt in a bowl and add 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt and half a cup water to it. Whisk lightly with a fork. Drop the balls in the yogurt. Alternatively, arrange the balls in a bowl and pour the whisked yogurt on top of them. Keep this bowl in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• 9. Drizzle the tamarind chutney and coriander chutney (if using) on top of the balls.
• 10. Sprinkle 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp cumin powder and 1 tsp chaat masala. Dahi bhalle are ready to be served.

MASOOR DAL WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, tomatoes and a big pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion and tomato soften and the excess liquid evaporates, 7 to 9 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 minutes.
• Add the lentils and stir to coat with the tomato mixture. Add 3 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the lentils are tender and have lost their shape, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; if the mixture gets too thick, add 1/4 cup of water at a time to loosen.
• Divide the lentils among bowls. Top with the yogurt, cilantro and chiles. Serve with the naan.

DHAL BALLS WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Place lentils in a sieve and rinse thoroughly under cold running water.
• Pick over lentils removing any grit. Place in a bowl, cover with cold water and soak 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, mix yogurt with 2 tablespoons of the cilantro and the chile powder. Cover and refrigerate.
• Drain lentils, cover with fresh water and simmer 30 minutes, or until tender. Add to vegetable mill or food processor and puree or mash well. Transfer to a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of the coconut, the bread crumbs, remaining cilantro, chiles, gingerroot, egg, salt and pepper; mix well. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Dampen hands, then carefully roll mixture into 1-inch balls, then roll balls in flour to coat completely.
• Half-fill a deep pan or deep-fryer with oil and heat to 375°F (190C), or until a 1-inch cube of bread browns in 50 seconds.
• Fry about 6 balls at a time 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot with yogurt sauce, sprinkled with remaining coconut and garnished with cilantro leaves.

DAL WITH SPINACH AND YOGHURT

Steps:

• Rinse lentils and soak for 20 mins or so.
• In a large saucepan, bring stock to a boil and stir in salt, lentils, turmeric and chili powder. Cover and return to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook for 5 minutes uncovered, or until lentils are soft (time will depend on type of lentils used).
• Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the dal to get your desired consistancy; simmer for another few minutes to thicken up.
• While lentils are cooking, heat ghee and cook onion with curry powder, cumin and mustard seeds over very low head til caramelized - around 20 minutes. Combine with lentils, stir in garam masala and yoghurt.

DAHI DAL (YOGURT LENTIL CURRY WITH SPINACH)

Steps:

• Put the moong dal in a pan with the measured boiling water, salt, turmeric and ginger. Bring to the boil, then cover and cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the spinach, cover again and cook for another 5 minutes until the lentils are soft and the spinach has wilted.
• Meanwhile, heat the ghee in a frying pan, add the onions and cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes until golden, then stir in the chile powder. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Once the lentils are ready, blitz to a purée with a hand blender or in a blender or food processor. Return to the pan, if necessary, and bring to the boil. Then take off the heat, add the yogurt and mix well. Transfer the dal to a serving bowl, top with the fried onions and serve.

SPINACH DHAL WITH HARISSA YOGURT

Steps:

• Swirl the harissa through the Greek yogurt. Toast the flaked almonds in a dry frying pan until golden. Reheat the leftover lentils and stir through the spinach. Once wilted, spoon into bowls, and top with the yogurt and almonds.