Topic: Which Lentils

[Gezh]

I need to buy a new bag of lentils to make some more of CA's super tarka dhal (and my great dansak!).

What lentils would you recommend? I'd rather buy something authentic from the asian grocer, than the usual "Tesco red split lentils".

Should they be red, yellow, split, whole, etc?

[Malc.]

Gezh,

I note that no one has answered this so i've had a Google or two and recipes do mention Yellow Dal but in the main it is the red that is used the most.

Hope this helps.

[George]

I need to buy a new bag of lentils to make some more of CA's super tarka dhal (and my great dansak!).
What lentils would you recommend? I'd rather buy something authentic from the asian grocer, than the usual "Tesco red split lentils".
Should they be red, yellow, split, whole, etc?

I'd buy any of the split type - whichever are cheapest.  Tesco red split lentils sound ideal. I've used them and I'm sure they're as good, or better, than anything from an Asian grocer.

[Stephen Lindsay]

bog standard red lentils is called for

[CurryOnRegardless]

Split red lentils are the thing for a bog standard BIR dahl, they turn a watery yellow colour as they cook, a quarter tsp of turmeric helps give a nicer colour, they should cook in about 25/30 mins.

Am I alone in thinking they've got a lot dearer over the last year or so, seems to me like they've doubled in price no matter where you get them, bummer.

Regards
CoR

[Stephen Lindsay]

Am I alone in thinking they've got a lot dearer over the last year or so, seems to me like they've doubled in price no matter where you get them, bummer.

Nope I have made the same observation, the price seems to have rocketed of late.

[Gezh]

Thanks for the comments.

I'm sure I had read somewhere about some differences, which is why I asked. Having experimented, there does seem to be a small difference.

I bought a packet of East End red split lentils, and I can say that they definitely hold their shape better than the Tesco ones. They didn't get so mushy so quickly, and my dhal has a nice bite to it. And I still got them from Tesco :-)

[CurryOnRegardless]

I bought a packet of East End red split lentils, and I can say that they definitely hold their shape better than the Tesco ones. They didn't get so mushy so quickly, and my dhal has a nice bite to it. And I still got them from Tesco :-)

Split red lentils are supposed to go mushy, if they haven't broken down then they aren't cooked properly, which may lead to 'resonance' problems the day after eating them!


Regards
CoR

[bobpilot99]

masoor dal which is the red one seems the best for Tarka Dal and Dhansak simmer for about 20-25 Min's drain and blend until smooth, Keep in fridge or freeze until cooking time 

[Gezh]

I bought a packet of East End red split lentils, and I can say that they definitely hold their shape better than the Tesco ones. They didn't get so mushy so quickly, and my dhal has a nice bite to it. And I still got them from Tesco :-)

Split red lentils are supposed to go mushy, if they haven't broken down then they aren't cooked properly, which may lead to 'resonance' problems the day after eating them!


Regards
CoR

Yes - they still go mushy, and are cooked properly, but they just seemed to retain their shape better, so that you really know there's lentils in the dish. The other ones I had really did just turn to mush, so for all you knew it could have been anything in there.

When you get served a good dhal, you can always see the lentils floating around in it.