Saturday, 21 July 2007

Dal, Dhal, Dahl!

Dhal is the subject of this week's column.

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We make a spicy peas-stew called dhal. Our dhal is made with melted yellow or green split peas (matar dal) and our chunkay ingredients (tadka) are primarily sliced garlic and cumin seeds (geera).

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Tomato dhal

Through my visits to various sites of my friends and visitors from the sub-continent my curiousity about this spicy-peas stew was peaked as they profiled various types of dal-pulses (yes, on the sub-continent it's spelt without the 'h') as well as the stew they are made from. So I set about making and tasting a variety of dals and dhals :) Click here to read more and to find out which was one was favourite.

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Spinach dhal

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Mango dhal

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Okra dhal

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Red lentil dhal

Friends, I am currently in Guyana and will be here for a few days. While I will still be able to make my posts, I may not be able to do my regular visits to your sites to comment but I'll catch up on all your delicious works when I get back.

62 comments:

Jyothi said...

Hi Cynthia, what a great spread of dal varities. Really looks fabulous. I love all the types of dal. Thanks for sharing dear. Have a great weekend.

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Just making some West Indies inspired food and stopped by to get some more inspiration which is always available in abundance here. Have a good trip home.

sra said...

Funnily enough, I've never seen split pea dal here, only came to know about it through a non-India blog!

bee said...

what a feast! enjoy your trip back home.

Asha said...

I always say Dal,got to read that link you provided.Dals look great,I made one yesterday,willpost later.
Have a great time your mum and don't forget to eat Jalebis!;D

Susan said...

I don't care how you spell it. They are all delicious, easy and nourishing. We use yellow and green split peas a lot in the States, but as non-spicy soups flavored w/ onion and meat. Enjoy your time at home.

Anita said...

potayto-potahto :-D Spelt with an 'h' only down south! You really went to town with the dals Cynthia! so tomato dal was your favourite. Hmm, different from your usual, that's why!

Coffee said...

That was some d(h)al-a-thon!! Have fun at your trip. :)

evolvingtastes said...

Life just can't be dull without dal (uh oh, that sounds pathetic)! Once again, it was interesting to read about the contrasts of food in Guyana and the subcontinent. Hope you are having fun there.

indosungod said...

Cynthia however we spell them Dals we absolutely love them and can't survive for a few days without them. Have fun in Guyana!

Mishmash ! said...

That was Dal-O -mania :))))) Went through the column...looks like you have done lot of homework for this week's article...good job cynthia....hope to see you becoming one of the well-known popular food writers!

Shn

toni said...

5 dals in one day? Girl, you ROCK! Since the tomato was your favorite, I'm thinking that's the one I'll try first. Thanks for this post!

Anali said...

Hi Cynthia!

These pictures are so colorful! I've never had it, but the mango dal sounds amazing. Enjoy your trip! ; )

Kelly Mahoney said...

What colorful dishes, thanks!

Nupur said...

Chunkay- that is such a cute word! All the dals look so tasty, Cynthia- I think I would love a ladle-ful of that mango dal if you don't mind :)

Manasi said...

What a wonderful spread!!! I'd like to taste all of them!!!

Sig said...

Hey Cyn, dhal fest... :) enjoyed the pics... Have fun at home sweetie, see you when you get back!

Sia said...

i love them all cynth...just love ur dal parade:) beautiful...now how abt the recipes?

Lisa said...

Mmm, I love dal. The tomato one does look and sound especially delish.

You went dal crazy!

USHA said...

Hi Cynthia,
Oh!!so enjoying your itme wiht mom..gr8...convey our regards to mom....this dhal looks healthy and delicious...but never never with split pea...sounds good.

trupti said...

I'd like to try every single one of them....Daal, to me is like a warm hug from an old friend!

-trupti

Vcuisine said...

Dal is like a meal for me Cynthia. I just eat more of it than the main dish. Lovely dhals. Okra with dhal is new for me. Have a great time with your family. Will miss you till you come back. Take care. Viji

Roopa said...

wondefull spread of dhall :) enjoy your trip

Jyothsna said...

The dal fest looks great....how homely! I'm so amazed at how close Indian cuisine is! Enjoy your trip!

Truffle said...

Dahl is my ultimate comfort food so I loved this post. I hope you have a wonderful trip and have enjoyed catching up on your posts after returning from my own trip :)

Dhana said...

Oh my, what a "dahl"ing post ;) So many great dal dishes to try!! I can never get enough of this ultimate comfort food....

Padma said...

Hey Cunthia you have created a 'One-stop Dal venture' here....nice pics and poss...I luv mango-dal the most.

ayseyaman said...

Tomato dhal looks yummy,Okra dhal and Red lentil dhal look yummy, too! :)
I love all your recipes! :)
They are diffirent and delicious.
You are so kind and friendly!
Thanks for sharing and visiting me!

Have a nice week! :)

Christine said...

I confess that I've never made dal before. But that's all about to change. Thank you Cynthia!

Nora B. said...

So many dhals! I love spinach dhal the most, and I've not heard of mango dhal before. I hope that you are having a great time in Guyana.

Suganya said...

All your photos have a warm feel to them. Oh! Am getting emotional over yr photos :D

Anh said...

I love dhal, but hardly cook it at home. but I eat quite often at lovely eatery near my uni. gradually, I have developed a real craving for it, especially after your yummy post. Right, I know what I will be eating for lunch!

Sandeepa said...

Enjoy your trip home Cynthia...loved all your dals.

Sharmi said...

waw you made so many varieties of dal?? awesome. so you are having a great time there!! did you make them all??

tigerfish said...

Give me some roti so that I can dip them in those dhal!

Kajal said...

WOW....Dal Dal and more Dal......great post of Dal.....I love your all dal photo. I also try masoor dal today. Thanks for sharing:)

Kajal said...

I click on your link...grat my dear.:)
Keep it up.:)

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

Mango Dhal...that sounds amazing!

Figs Olives Wine said...

Hope you're having a good trip! That Mango version looks incredible. Safe journey, Cynthia.

swapna susarla said...

Hi cynthia
the pictures are looking gorgeous.

sunita said...

D(h)al is such a comfort food...and nourishing as well...loved looking at all those varieties....have a great trip :)

ushaprashanth said...

Hi cynthia!
mango dhal,okra dhal are new to me!!!! lovely pics!

Seema said...

Cynthia, Hope you had a lovely weekend. I love Dals too very very much. I can just drink all of them like soup. They feel so very soothing right? Lovely pictures girl.

Sukanya Ramkumar said...

Hi Cynthia....Lovely set of dal recipes.....Love them all... Enjoy!....

Nanditha Prabhu said...

great collection of dals there!
thank you for this wonderful post!

valentinA said...

Wow, I'm impressed about the varieties of your dhal dishes Cynthia, how awesome!
And they all look appetising!!!

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

Hi Cynthia - Just wanted to let you know, I've given you an award! Stop by my blog to pick it up :o)

Foodie said...

Looks like a Dal Fiesta. My my Cynthia that is something to marvel. Dal is a life line to vegetarians. It's the protein treasure for us. Gonna make every single one.

JennDZ - The Leftover Queen said...

I love Dhal! Yours looks particularly good!

Sylvia said...

Cynthia ,your Dahl looks wonderful. I hope you enjoy your trip and be happy.

Cynthia said...

A very big thank you and hugs to Jyothi, Amanda, Bee, Susan, Coffee, Manasi, Sig, Sia, Usha, Kelly, Roopa, Jyothsna, Padma, Kajal, Amanda, Swapna, Nanditha, Valentina, Jenn, Sylvia, Sunita, Usha, Seema, Sukanya & Foodie.

Sra - really?! :)

Asha - thanks! I'm going to eat Jalebis this weekend! (lol)

Anita - yeah, I think so too :)

Evolving Tastes - ah yeah, :) but not as pathetic as you think :)

Indo - that is so true! Thanks

Shn - thank you, I did. You make my heart sing. Thank you for your well wishes and confidence in my abilities.

Toni - thank you and a very warm welcome. Please come back and visit soon.

Anali - Girl, you have to try it. I'll send you the recipe.

Nupur - thank you dearest - take 2 or 3 ladels full :)

Lisa - I did :)

Trupti - you know, that sounds perfect: like a hug from an old friend. I hope you enjoy my hugs.

Thank you dear Viji

Truffle - it is so good to have you back! I missed you. Hope you had a wonderful time.

Dhana dhal'ing! I too can never get enough of this ultimate comfort food.

Ayseyaman - thank you and you are very welcome! I love your food.

Christine - you are welcome!

Nora - I am. The first time I heard of mango dhal was from this blogger http://bongcookbook.blogspot.com/

Suganya - you make me so very happy - not because I am making you emotional but because I can help you make that connection...

Anh :)

Sandeepa - thank you and thanks for the mango dhal inspiration and recipe!

Sharmi - yes, just as you would make so many different things to feed us with at your feasts. I did make all the dhals.

Tigerfish - oh yeah baby :) you know the thing!

Caff. Cowgirl - it is! Thanks for the award!

Jennifer said...

I'm so excited to stumble across your s and foodie sidekicks blogs...me and my man are such a huge fans of caribbean cooking, I shall be stopping by very regularly for inspiration and ideas! Thankyou :-) xxx

Anonymous said...

Looks and sounds scrumptious. I've been on a soup/stew kick lately and dhal is going straight on our menu for next week. :)

Ari (Baking and Books)

SteamyKitchen said...

pretty pretty pretty!!!!

safe travels...

Sue said...

Have a wonderful trip.

I love dal, but after reading your post, I can't really remember how I usually spell it.

Travel safe and eat well.

Love, Sue

Carolyn said...

Oh, it all looks great to me. Thanks for sharing the yummo looking photos, and all, here. The Tomato dahl, and the Spinach dahl look especially yummy to me.

Hope you are having a wonderful time in Guyana. Thank you so much for your heartfelt words on my blog. Am so glad you are enjoying the simple beauty there. Looking forward to what you relate when you return! Have a great day. :-)

christine (myplateoryours) said...

I can still remember the creamy, spicy flavor of the first dal I ever tasted, at an Indian restaurant in England 20+ years ago. Thanks for such a delicious post, and for reminding me...

WokandSpoon said...

Lovely dhal photos! Enjoy your trip!

Cynthia said...

Jennifer - a very warm welcome and thanks for dropping by. I am glad that you like Caribbean food and look forward to your continued visits.

Ari - I have been reading all about your new way of eating and I can assure you that the addition of dhal is going to be a great one.

Jaden, Sue & Wok and Spoon - thank you!

Dearest Carolyn - it is always a pleasure to have you visit. I am having a good time in Guyana. Thank you for bringing such beauty to life with your pics.

Oh Christine - I do hope that you would try making it.

Sue said...

Hi Cyn,

Unfortunately, it may be time for you to institute comment moderation.

On a happier note, I know you're traveling, but do you wanna play tag, because YOU'RE IT! Click on my site to see the rules and if you want to play.

SMN said...

hey cynthia now a days im finding it hard to visit all the blog coz of my busy schedule nice posting.. dals, beer.. great recipes! keep bloggin..tnx.

Cynthia said...

Sue - I only just saw that long ridiculous spam on my blog. Will definitely do something about it.

I am always up to a game. Will check out your blog for the IT.

SMN - don't worry hon, I understand. Visit and comment when you can. I love having you over.

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