Lentils and beans are a fantastic source of plant-based protein and are a staple in many diets around the world. They are not only nutritious but also extremely versatile, making them perfect for all sorts of recipes. Here, you will find a collection of delicious and easy-to-follow lentil recipes and bean recipes, from classic Indian dishes like Chole, Rajma Masala, Dal Tadka to Instant Pot Black Beans to Ethiopian Lentil Stew. These recipes are filling, flavorful and will make your meal time more exciting.

Chole Recipe (Punjabi Chole Masala)

Punjabi Chole Masala is one of the most popular vegetarian curry dishes in India. It is a chickpea curry cooked with onions, tomatoes and lots of spices. Chole is one of those core curries in northern India without which no party or wedding festivities is complete. I remember whenever we would call someone over for lunch or dinner, mom would almost always make chole (or rajma or dal makhani).

Chole is often enjoyed with bhatura (a deep fried bread). Chole bhature and chole chawal aka chole...

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Moong Dal Recipe (Moong Dal Tadka)

This simple and comforting Moong Dal is one of the simplest Indian dals made with split petite yellow lentils. This wholesome dal has a tadka (tempering) of cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and curry leaves making it flavorful. This dal is vegan, easy to digest and light on your stomach and pairs well with rice, roti or any grain of your choice. You can make this moong dal recipe in 30 minutes using a traditional pressure cooker or Instant Pot.

Of all the dals that I grew up eating at home on a regular basis like...

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Homestyle Punjabi Rajma

This is my mother-in-law’s simple homemade Punjabi rajma recipe. It has no frills, no special ingredients yet it makes the most comforting bowl of rajma. The kidney beans are pressure cooked and then an onion-tomato masala is added to them and they are cooked again until the masala and the rajma are very well combined with each other.

Like they say a good punjabi rajma should be “rassa hua” meaning the spices, masala, rajma should be intermixed so well with each other and the rajma...

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Dal Palak (Spinach Dal)

Hearty and wholesome Dal Palak (Spinach Dal) is lightly spiced and makes a great comforting meal. It can be served with any grain of choice and is also vegan.

Adding spinach to your dal is a good way to include some greens in your diet, don’t you think? I have always been someone who loves their greens, saag is my absolute favorite. However, I remember my brothers not being too fond of spinach and...

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Gujarati Dal Recipe

Sweet, spicy and tangy, this Gujarati Dal is comfort food at it’s best! This thin consistency dal is tempered with lots of spices like cinnamon, cloves, cumin, mustard and flavored with ginger, jaggery, lime juice. Best enjoyed with plain rice.

As someone who grew up eating dal everyday of her life, it still is (and will always be) an integral part of my diet and life. I cannot do without eating dal at least 2 times a week. That’s bare...

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Vegetable & Chickpea Coconut Curry

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Cozy up on cold days with this Vegetable & Chickpea Coconut Curry. Made with cauliflower, sweet potatoes, chickpea and warm spices, this curry is fragrant, aromatic and so...

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Moong Dal Dosa

Moong Dal Dosa is a savory crepe made with moong dal (split petite yellow lentils). It’s gluten-free, easy to make and makes a filling breakfast or lunch. Stuff it with paneer or tofu (for vegan version) and you have got a complete protein packed meal!

Dosas of all kinds have a special place in my heart. They are filling, easy to make and taste so good. Give me some chutney on the side with my dosa and I can eat it pretty much every...

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Chana Masala

Easy and simple Chana Masala is made using raw chickpeas which are soaked overnight and then cooked with onion, tomatoes and spices.

This popular Indian dish is vegan and gluten-free and pairs well with rice or naan.

Chana Masala needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular Indian dishes, whether its in India or in the western world.

In Delhi though, we usually make Chole, which is very similar to...

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Chana Dal Recipe

Chana Dal is one of my favorite dals to enjoy with rice. Made with fresh ingredients and a handful of spices, this dal is packed with flavors!

It is also vegan and gluten-free.

Chana dal had a special place in my heart growing up. Mainly because it wasn’t made everyday in my house unlike toor/arhar...

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My Favorite Chickpea Salad

Vegan and gluten-free, this Chickpea Salad is my absolute favorite.

It has cucumber, onions, dates and olives tossed together in a flavorful dressing. It’s also great for meal-prep.

As a vegetarian, chickpeas are one of my absolute favorites!

There’s so much you can do with them. Make hummus, chana masala, add to burgers and of course they make the best...

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Matar Chaat

Matar Chaat made with white peas tossed with onion, tomatoes, spices and chutneys!

This chaat is extremely popular in Delhi and makes amazing meal with kulcha or can be enjoyed as such.

Matar Kulcha had a special place in my heart during college days. There was this roadside stall near our college which sold matar kulcha plate for Rs.7  I think (which is less than 10 cent!) and that used to be my treat very...

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Green Moong Dal (Sabut Moong Dal)

Simple and comforting green moong dal made with mung beans in the Instant Pot.

This protein packed dal makes a comforting meal and pairs well with rice or any grain of choice.

I have all sorts of lentils in my pantry, that’s given since I am an Indian and also because I grew up eating dal every single day of my life.

Although I have so many...

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