9 dals or protein rich lentil broths to beat the heat

Dal or lentil broth is perhaps a person’s best friend in summer. When the heat soars, we tend to feel lethargic and a loss of appetite ensues. Spicy food, though much-loved in winter, tends to take a step back. Our body yearns for something light on the stomach, something to cool the body from inside and thus keep us refreshed and healthy.

This is where the dal (lentils) steps in. From childhood, every lunch sees a bowl of the yellow liquid that is power-packed with protein on the table.

Bengal sports a number of dals that are cooked in different ways. They taste good, avoid too many spices and hence keep the stomach cool. It is alkaline in nature, hence helps to keep a check on acidity. It is filling as it is fibre-rich. So weight-conscious people can eat a bowlful and feel no remorse.

Furthermore, in some dals, vegetables are also added — seasonal ones — like gourd, ash gourd and radish that are coolers themselves, though radish is strictly speaking a winter vegetable. It pairs beautifully with matar or split pigeon lentils.

Also, bitter and sour-tasting vegetables help beat the heat too. Hence they are also added to the dals, to make them healthy to a greater extent.

Here are a few dal recipes to help tide the strong sunshine. Enjoy!

1. Toke Dal

Serves: 2

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2. Teto Dal

Serves: 2

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3. Moong dal with gourd

Serves: 2

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4. Moong dal with coconut

Serves: 2

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Note: To make this dal extra rich when guests are invited, an addition of 100 ml of coconut milk would take it to a different level. Add the coconut milk while the dal is boiling in the pot, before adding the coconut.

5. Mushur (Masoor) dal with onions

Serves: 2

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6. Masoor dal with radhuni (wild celery seeds)

Serves: 2

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7. Matar dal with radish

Serves: 2

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8. Urad Dal

Serves: 2

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9. Arhar (toor) dal

Serves: 2

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- The writer specialises in Bengali cuisine and is an avid foodie