How to use dal water from boiling for other budget dishes?

Question

How can you use the dal water from boiling for other budget dishes? Discover how to use this nutrient-rich liquid to avoid waste.

Answer 1

Dal water, the liquid left after boiling lentils, can be used as a nutritious base for soups, stews, or even to cook rice, adding flavor and extra nutrients to your budget dishes.

Detailed Explanation:

Dal water is packed with nutrients and flavor extracted from the lentils during boiling. Instead of discarding it, you can repurpose it in several ways to enhance your cooking and save money. Here's how:

1. Soup Base: Use dal water as a base for vegetable soups. Its subtle lentil flavor complements various vegetables like carrots, potatoes, spinach, and tomatoes. Simply sauté your vegetables, add the dal water, and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Season with spices as desired.
2. Stew Thickener and Flavor Enhancer: Add dal water to stews to thicken them naturally and impart a savory flavor. It works particularly well in vegetable stews or those containing beans and other legumes.
3. Rice Cooking Liquid: Cook rice in dal water instead of plain water. This infuses the rice with a delicate lentil flavor and adds extra nutrients. Use the same rice-to-water ratio as usual, but substitute the water with dal water.
4. Gravy Base: Dal water can be used as a base for gravies. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger, add spices, and then pour in the dal water. Simmer until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
5. Kneading Dough: Use dal water to knead dough for roti or paratha. This adds a subtle flavor and makes the roti softer.

Pro Tip:

If your dal water is too thick, dilute it with a little plain water before using it in other dishes. This will prevent your soups or stews from becoming overly dense. Also, remember to adjust the salt in your recipes, as the dal water already contains some salt from the lentils.