84 delicious lentils recipes from around the world
A deeply flavorful and aromatic Ethiopian red lentil stew, known as Misir Wat. This dish is a staple, particularly during fasting periods, and is characterized by its vibrant red hue and warming spices. It's surprisingly quick to make and incredibly satisfying.
Koshary is Egypt's beloved national dish, a hearty and flavorful street food classic. It's a comforting medley of rice, brown lentils, and pasta, generously topped with a zesty, spiced tomato sauce, tangy vinegar-garlic dressing, and finished with a crown of incredibly crispy fried onions. A true celebration of textures and tastes.
Bara are savory, thin pancakes made from black lentil (masoor dal) batter, often seasoned with spices and sometimes mixed with minced meat. They are a popular street food and snack in Nepal, typically served with a spicy dipping sauce.
A simple yet deeply comforting Egyptian red lentil soup, flavored with aromatic cumin and brightened with fresh lemon. This dish, known as 'Ads' in Egypt, is a staple for its nourishing qualities and ease of preparation.
A comforting and wholesome one-pot meal made with rice, lentils, and an assortment of seasonal vegetables, seasoned with aromatic spices. It's a staple comfort food, often enjoyed during rainy days or as a light meal.
Soft, fluffy lentil fritters (vadas) soaked in cool, sweetened yogurt and topped with tangy tamarind and spicy green chutneys. A refreshing and popular Indian snack or appetizer.
A comforting and aromatic Indian lentil dish, featuring tender toor dal simmered and finished with a flavorful tempering (tadka) of ghee, spices, and aromatics. A staple in Indian homes.
A hearty and flavorful Algerian soup featuring tender lentils, spiced lamb sausage (merguez), and aromatic vegetables. It's a comforting and nutritious dish often enjoyed during cooler months.
A hearty and flavorful Moroccan tomato and lentil soup, enriched with chickpeas, herbs, and often lamb or beef. Traditionally served to break the fast during Ramadan, it's a comforting and nourishing meal.
A rich and flavorful black lentil curry, often served as a side dish (tarkari) to complement rice or other main courses. It's a staple in Nepali cuisine, known for its earthy taste and nutritional benefits.
A nourishing and wholesome soup packed with lentils, a variety of vegetables, and fragrant spices. This hearty soup is a perfect light meal or starter, showcasing the simple yet delicious flavors of Afghan home cooking.
Dalma is a wholesome and nutritious one-pot dish from Odisha, combining lentils (dal) with a variety of seasonal vegetables. It's a staple in Odia cuisine, often considered a comfort food and a part of traditional meals, including the sacred Mahaprasad of Puri. Dalma is typically tempered with aromatic spices like panch phoron and ghee, giving it a unique flavor profile.
Rummaniyeh is a hearty and flavorful vegetarian stew made with brown lentils, tender eggplant, and a tangy pomegranate molasses sauce. It's a staple in Palestinian cuisine, known for its unique sweet and sour profile.
A rustic and hearty peasant dish from the Kabyle region of Algeria, 'Kalint Kal Kchouka' translates to 'lentils and chickpeas'. It's a flavorful and nutritious stew, often prepared with simple ingredients and aromatic spices, showcasing the resilience and resourcefulness of traditional Algerian cuisine.
A rich and creamy Punjabi classic, this Dal Makhani is slow-cooked to perfection with whole black lentils, kidney beans, butter, and aromatic spices. It's a deeply flavorful and indulgent dish, traditionally simmered for hours to achieve its signature velvety texture.
A delightful coastal variation of the classic Egyptian Koshary, this Alexandrian version features succulent shrimp instead of the traditional chickpeas, offering a unique seafood twist on this beloved comfort food. It's a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for a special meal.
Dal Puri is a popular savory pastry from Bangladesh, consisting of a flaky, deep-fried flatbread filled with a spiced lentil mixture. It's a common breakfast or snack item, often served with aloo bhaji (potato curry) or a spicy chutney.
Dal Gosht is a comforting and hearty Pakistani curry that beautifully combines tender meat (usually lamb, beef, or goat) with chana dal (split chickpeas). Cooked in a flavorful base of onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices, it's a wholesome dish perfect for any occasion.
A hearty and flavorful lentil soup, a staple in Panamanian households, often enriched with vegetables and a hint of smoky flavor from chorizo.
A comforting and nutritious dish, Dal na Shak is a staple in Bangladeshi households, combining protein-rich lentils with nutrient-dense leafy greens. It's a simple yet flavorful preparation, often seasoned with ginger, garlic, and a hint of chili, making it a perfect accompaniment to rice.
A hearty and flavorful stew made with lentils, a unique pasta-like dough, and a tangy pomegranate molasses dressing. Often called 'the rich and poor man's meal,' it's a testament to its deliciousness and affordability.
A comforting and hearty Greek lentil soup, traditionally flavored with bay leaf and finished with a bright splash of red wine vinegar. This is an everyday staple, perfect for a simple yet satisfying meal.
A quintessential Nepali meal, Dal Bhat Tarkari is a balanced and nutritious platter consisting of lentil soup (dal), steamed rice (bhat), and a vegetable curry (tarkari). This staple provides essential nutrients and is a cornerstone of Nepali daily cuisine, often enjoyed twice a day.
Egypt's national dish - a hearty and flavorful vegetarian layered meal of rice, lentils, and pasta, generously topped with a spiced tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.
