By chance, during the lockdown, instead of using the dosa batter for making traditional dosas, I decided to experiment by pouring it into my newly bought waffle maker. The result was a surprise – superb waffles that were utterly gorgeous, crispy, crunchy, and light golden brown – everything you could desire in a genuine waffle.
The simple urad dal, a Southern Indian staple for dosas, is also celebrated in northern Indian cuisine in dishes like dal makhani. This versatile legume has been a cornerstone in Indian cooking for ages. Its use extends to various preparations ranging from curries and gravies to pasta dishes and raw sprout salads.
Urad dal’s versatility is truly boundless. You can even make marvelous gluten-free bread by blending it with rice flour to form a perfect dough. Known for its black skin and white inside, urad dal is sometimes referred to as black mung bean or black lentils and has been cherished throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Beyond traditional uses, this dal can be incorporated into innovative dishes, such as healthy burgers where its flavor perfectly complements chickpea flour. In this blog, I’ve explored its potential as an alternative ingredient in diverse recipes like Bacalhau a Gomes Sa, Vegetarian Fillet ‘o’ Fish, and béchamel sauce.
At lunch, we served these urad dal waffles with both sweet and savory toppings. They are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or as a brunch meal when prepared in a savory style. Click on the link to see how to make pancake and savory sauces.
What Ayurveda Says
Urad dal’s health benefits are noteworthy. Integrating this lentil into your diet may promote strength, nourish the body, and serve as a cardiac tonic. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat conditions like sciatica, asthma, fatigue, debility, constipation, and Parkinson’s disease, and plays an integral role in Panchakarma therapy.
Urad Dal Waffles
The daily consumption of urad dal provides essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamin B, and other minerals that support bone health. Regular inclusion of this lentil can help maintain high bone mineral density, ward off osteoporosis, and manage blood glucose levels effectively. Rich in high-quality protein, potassium, iron, niacin, magnesium, calcium, riboflavin, and thiamine, urad dal is a powerhouse in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- Urad Dal Batter:
- 2 cups urad dal
- 1 tablespoon coconut or olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Sweet Filling:
- 1 teaspoon maple or rice syrup for each waffle (or raw honey for non-vegans)
- Fill up to the heart's content with your favorite berry sauce or sweet topping
- Savory Filling:
- 1 tablespoon chickpea sauce
Instructions
Soak the urad dal for 4 hours in water.
After soaking, blend the soaked urad dal with some of the soaking water until you achieve a smooth yet thick consistency.
Add about 1 tablespoon olive oil to the batter and season with a pinch of salt, then mix well.
Pour approximately 3 tablespoons of batter onto the waffle maker and close the lid for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, open the waffle maker. When the waffle reaches at least a pale golden color, remove it; if you prefer a deeper golden brown, let it cook for an additional minute.
Once cooked, place the waffles on a plate and serve with your choice of sweet or savory toppings.
Nutrition
-
278.0 Calories
-
46.9g Carbohydrates
-
0.0mg Cholesterol
-
3.0g Fat
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19.5g Fiber
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16.5g Protein
-
2.1g Saturated fat
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97.0mg Sodium
-
9.3g Sugar
-
0.0g Trans fat
Notes
Nutritional Profile of Black Gram (Urad Dal) Urad dal is packed with high-quality protein and essential nutrients, including potassium, iron, niacin, magnesium, calcium, riboflavin, and thiamine. A 100-gram serving (1 cup) of urad dal provides: 25g of protein, 982 mg of potassium, 138 mg of calcium, 7 mg of iron, 1 mg of niacin. This powerhouse of nutrition makes urad dal an excellent addition to a balanced diet, supporting bone health, energy levels, and overall well-being.
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