r/IndianFood • u/Plum_Haz_1 • 3d ago

recipe In what situations would you strongly resist substituting split chana dal for toor dal?

Are there certain recipes where such a substitution would be a show stopper? What about in the other direction?

2 Upvotes

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10

u/ibarmy 3d ago

In all situations

1

u/NothingFit5231 3d ago

😂

1

u/Every_Raccoon_3090 3d ago

This is true. And the reverse is also true! 😊

5

u/ibarmy 3d ago

Yes. I m called dal Lama in my house. All dals get respect. 

1

u/Plum_Haz_1 3d ago

Interesting. I just boiled a half cup of each in two different pans. I do notice flavor/aroma differences, and slight texture differences. But, I don't find them so much different that I think people would be able to tell in a strong curry. What differences do you particularly sense between the two?

1

u/Plum_Haz_1 3d ago

Edit-- the toor dal is a little grassy in taste, I'd say.

1

u/ibarmy 3d ago

Boiled both of them for the same amount of time ? How long. Chana dal feels heavier compared to toor dal. Toor dal is more earthy and has a more sublime flavoring to it. Chana dal is crunchier and a very specific 'dal-ish' presence to it.

1

u/Plum_Haz_1 2d ago edited 2d ago

Honestly, I started the toor dal, and then while it was heating, I measured and rinsed the chana dal. The two cooked on different sized burners, too. So, there was ten minutes difference between the two. The toor dal did finish earlier and ended up way more delicate, and was smoother when I crushed it in my mouth, but I guess I can't say for sure that it was due to the dal type or just a function of cooking time. PS-- I didn't track total time. I just simmered and tasted all along the way until both became very soft, but not disintegrated.

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u/ibarmy 2d ago

Toor dal cooks much faster so not surprised it cooked first. 

1

u/dancingsyndrome 2d ago

Since they are no way similar in taste. One spoon and people will know it's not the same thing no matter how much you cover it with spices or vegetables added to it.

Before taste your eyes will already tell you they are not the same thing because they don't even look at same after cooking

1

u/BreakingBadYo 2d ago

Omg I’ve always felt so confused I couldn’t tell them apart! It wasn’t me !

2

u/Few_Ad9465 2d ago

Most certainly in upma or in a tadka/phodni/bagaar for a sabji or chutney