Three-Bean Dal
Tonight's dinner was Three-Bean Dal from Vegan Planet. I really love this book, but I don't use it too often. I don't really know why. In any case, this recipe is definitely a keeper. It's very bean-heavy - I mean, it's basically just a combination of three beans and some spices - which I consider a positive thing since I don't think I eat enough beans most of the time. It's not exactly quick - it takes about 45 minutes, not including prep work. But it's a lot faster to make than the traditional dish it mimics (dal makhani), and it's really tasty. Plus it's really high in fiber and pretty good on protein as well, and therefore super filling.
I made a few substitutions, but it's nothing that should really make that big of a difference. I'm going to post the recipe as it's written in the book, and then my changes at the end.
Three-Bean Dal
from Vegan Planet by Robin Robertson
1/2 c dried yellow split peas
3 c water
1 tsp turmeric
1 1/2 c cooked black beans (or 1 15 oz can, drained and rinsed)
1 1/2 c cooked red kidney beans (or 1 15 oz can, drained and rinsed)
salt to taste
2 Tbsp corn oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 tsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Put the peas and water in a large pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Bring the heat down to low and stir in the turmeric, then simmer, partially covered, for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. After 20 minutes, add the black and red beans and salt to taste. Simmer, uncovered, until the pea "sauce" thickens and the beans are very soft, about another 20 minutes.
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and saute the onion until soft. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add the spices and tomatoes and cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds.
Add the contents of this pan to the pot of beans and stir to mix well. Garnish and eat.
My changes: I used 1 Tbsp of oil instead of 2, moong dal instead of split peas, 1/2 tsp of ground ginger in place of the fresh, only 1/4 tsp of cayenne, I didn't chop my diced tomatoes any further, and I didn't use any cilantro because I don't have any right now. Oh, and I cooked the spices and tomatoes for longer than 30 seconds. Maybe 2 minutes or so. In any case, it was yummy.
The book says this serves 6; I'd estimate we got about 5 servings. But then, it was oour entire meal. If you have this with other things then I can definitely see it serving 6 or even more.
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Mmm, mmm good! I'm going to print this recipe off. It sounds right up our alley. After reading the recipe, it makes up for the initial disappointment of not seeing another spectacular dessert-type treat. I guess you could only bring so much sweetness home with you. I can't wait until you go again!
Posted by
Carrie™ |
12:23 AM
There are no more desserts because I ate them all. :) I can't go again for a while because this week has been like dessert-apolooza. I was doing so well with avoiding the sweets, and now the sugar monster is back full force. Why must evil taste so delicious?!?
I hope you like the recipe! I can't wait for tomorrow so I can eat my leftovers.
Posted by
Amanda |
12:52 AM
That looks really tasty and sounds like a dish my husband would totally love. I'll have to add it to my "to make" list :)
Posted by
Anonymous |
10:05 AM
That looks really good!!
Posted by
jenny |
10:15 AM
Is it "Cheez" on top??
Looks great!!!
Love that you used less oil, too. Many recipes you truly can with fine results...
Lovely pink, cheery bowl, too!
Posted by
KleoPatra |
1:40 PM
vegan diva - Awesome, I hope you like it! :)
jenny - Thanks! (It was.)
kleo - No cheez, it's just yellow from the moong dal. I pretty much always reduce the oil, especially when cooking Indian stuff. I have a cookbook where one recipe calls for at least 6 Tbsp of oil for sauteing things. That's just crazy talk. One is plenty, I think.
Posted by
Amanda |
1:52 PM
This looks delicious!! I am going to print it off as well!! I LOVE dahl.
Very nice blog!
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:53 PM
Looks great.. dahl is such a great dish.. clever use of black and kidney beans.. I never would have thought of that.
Posted by
MeloMeals |
6:22 PM
broke vegan - Thanks! I love dahl too. It's the cheapest, tastiest, most nutritious meal around.
melody - I thought the back and kidney beans were a great addition. A very tasty way to get your beans in, for sure. :)
Posted by
Amanda |
7:53 PM
This looks so hearty in a good way -
I've never made a dal but I will keep this recipe in mind. The three-bean aspect is really appealing to me too. I only remember to eat beans if I'm doing chili, soup or hummus, and that's not often enough.
Posted by
jess (of Get Sconed!) |
12:30 AM
You should make dal! It's easy and tasty and filling and really versatile. I'm the same way with beans. I like them, but I just don't think to make them all the time. Except for dal. I could eat a different kind of dal every day for the rest of my life, I swear.
Posted by
Amanda |
1:04 AM
sooo...what motivated me to get an 8 back of kidney beans at costco? i have no idea. but i have been desperate for ways to use them, and was, in fact, thinking earlier today: i NEED to find some good recipes with kidney beans!
vegancore saves the day again! :)
Posted by
holiday at sea |
1:56 AM
Yay! I hope you like it, if you do try it out. Vegan Planet recipes are always pretty awesome, at least in my experience.
Posted by
Amanda |
9:23 AM
Hooray, more Indian food! I won’t complain about switching from deserts. I like some sweets now and then, but it’s nothing compared to my constant craving for Indian cuisine. Just so you know, that chana masala has become a recurring recipe in my kitchen. I will definitely be making this dal for dinner sometime this week. Thanks!
Posted by
Shananigans |
7:41 PM
I too am stricken by constant cravings for Indian food. I don't make it as often as I'd like due to being lazy or busy, but when I do... yum. I hope you like this one!
Posted by
Amanda |
9:36 PM