Dal is served in every Indian household with rice, chapati or any other staple. From chana dal, to moong to sambar to dalma, we have different ways to eat dal in different parts of the country. Since it is cooked so often, often dal is made in a large quantity and kept in the fridge to be eaten for a couple of days. But sometimes, we do not really want to eat the same dal and experience the same taste over and over again. So, what to do in situations like this? Do we throw away our bowl full of dal, which is a great protein and carbohydrate source? Never, and that should not even be an option. Should we continue eating the same dal despite not wanting to? No, because we eat not just to fill our stomachs, but for contentment too. So, let us introduce you to innovative ways in which you can use the leftover dal in your fridge and love it too!
Dal Paratha
The most common type of dal paratha is the one in which you stuff your dough with dal filling. But the consistency of leftover dal is runny and not suitable for such kind of stuffed parathas. So, what do we do? We make the dough with dal and watch both our dal and paratha transform into a new dish altogether. Here is a recipe for the same.
Ingredients
- 2 cups atta
- 1 bowl left over dal
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt as per taste
- Ghee
Method
- Put the atta in a mixing bowl and add salt and ghee to it.
- Mix the three dry for 2-3 minutes.
- Slowly start adding the dal and keep kneading the flour mix.
- Adjust the consistency and add water if required.
- Add lemon juice and make a soft dough.
- Now, make thin parathas using loose flour with a rolling pin.
- Heat a tava and first cook the parathas without oil.
- Flip and when both sides are slightly brown, add ghee and fry your paratha.
- Serve the parathas with dahi or achar.
Dal paratha | Instagram - @kajal_kitchen
We have all had pakodas and bhajiyas of different types, with potatoes, onions, chilli and paneer. Even dal pakodas, made by grinding lentils are a delicious snack, especially during monsoons and winter season. But do you know, you can make crispy, lip-smacking fritters with the leftover dal in your fridge? Let us see how.
Ingredients
- 1 bowl leftover dal
- 1 bowl besan
- 1 chopped onion
- 5-6 chopped green chillies
- 1 tbsp red chilli powder
- Mustard oil
- 1 tbsp chat masala
Method
- Mix the leftover dal and besan till you reach a thick consistency. Make sure there are no lumps.
- Now add the powdered spices, chillies and onions and mix the batter.
- Heat up the ustard oil in a wok and use a spoon to transfer little portions of the batter in oil.
- Fry till the fritters are golden brown.
- Add chat masala on the pakodas and enjoy them hot.
Dal Pancakes
Aren't pancakes everyone's favourite breakfast? The fluffy, filling dish can be sweet or savoury and it not only fills your stomach, but your heart. But how does leftover dal come into this equation? Well, if you are feeling lazy in the morning and you have dal left in your fridge, you can easily cook savoury dal pancakes. Quickly look at the recipe for it.
Ingredients
- 1 bowl left over dal
- 1/2 cup sooji
- 1 cup oats/chickpea flour
- 1 finely chopped capsicum
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 1 finely chopped tomato
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 tbsp pepper
- Salt as per taste
- Butter
Method
- Make a thick batter with flour, dal and sooji with no lumps.
- Add the vegetables and salt-pepper as per taste.
- Heat a tawa and brush it with butter.
- Pour the pancake batter and cook till both sides are cooked.
- The pancake is thick so it takes time to cook. Cover the tawa with a lid and cook each side for 2 mins to fasten the process.
- Serve with ketchup.
These quick, innovative and delicious recipes will not only help you get introduced to new flavours and tastes, they will also enable you to cut the wastage of food and use your resources in an optimum manner.
