Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. You have the meal after a really long break, and it dictates how your day starts. It improves your metabolism, provides essential nutrients, and gives you the energy needed to power through your morning. While opting for traditional breakfast items like cereal, toast, or eggs might be the norm, adding dal into your morning routine can be a wise choice.
If this sounds a little unconventional to you, wait till you see just how many options there are for making dal a part of the breakfast menu and the advantages that follow. Both are plenty and pretty convincing too!
Advantages of Adding Dal to Your Breakfast Menu
Recipe - Sunita Agarwal
Before getting to the delicious recipes, let’s first understand why adding dal to your breakfast menu is a smart choice!
- Rich in Protein: Dal is a great source of plant-based protein. Starting your day with a protein-packed meal can help you feel full and satisfied, reducing the temptation for mid-morning snacks.
- High in Fibre: Dal is rich in dietary fibre, which helps in digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. This can prevent energy crashes later in the day.
- Low in Fat: Most dals are naturally low in fat, making them a heart-healthy breakfast option. They can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of heart diseases.
- Packed with Nutrients: Dals are a treasure trove of essential nutrients, including iron, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins. These nutrients support overall health and well-being.
- Versatile: Dals come in various varieties, allowing you to experiment with different flavours and textures in your breakfast dishes. We have moong, masur, tur, chana, arhar, and many more dal varieties we can choose from.
Top 5 Dal Dishes for Breakfast
Now, let’s look at some delicious dal-based breakfast options.
Chana Dal Dhokla:
Recipe - Recipes With Riya
Chana dal dhokla is a popular Gujarati dish that’s not only deliciously soft but also incredibly nutritious. To prepare, soak chana dal overnight, grind it into a smooth batter, and season it with cumin-coriander powder, green chilies, and ginger. Steam the batter until it’s cooked through, then garnish with fresh coriander leaves and grated coconut. Chana dal dhokla is light, spongy, and perfect for a light but filling morning meal.
Moong Dal Cheela:
This pancake dish is a versatile and quick breakfast option. Blend soaked moong dal into a thick batter and add finely chopped vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, and onions. Pour ladlefuls of the batter onto a hot tawa to make protein-rich pancakes. You can also add a stuffing of paneer to further enhance the nutritional value of the dish. Moong dal cheela is not only delicious but also a great way to sneak veggies into your breakfast.
Toor Dal Paratha:
A wholesome breakfast that combines the goodness of dal with the comfort of paratha is super easy to make. Prepare a filling stuffing by cooking toor dal with spices and stuffing it inside whole wheat dough balls. Roll out the stuffed dough into parathas and cook them on a hot, non-stick tawa with a little ghee. These parathas are both hearty and nutritious.
Green Moong Salad:
For those who prefer a lighter breakfast for a nice, healthy weight loss breakfast diet, a green moong salad is an excellent choice. Soak green moong dal overnight and toss it with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and a lemon juice dressing. This refreshing salad is loaded with protein, fibre, and vitamins, making it an ideal breakfast for those on the go.
Urad Dal Appe:
A delicious dish from the super versatile South Indian cuisine, urad dal appe can be enjoyed with dal sambar and coconut chutney. To make these small balls of comfort, To prepare, soak urad dal, rice, and fenugreek seeds, grind them into a smooth batter, and ferment overnight. Season the batter with salt and optional ingredients like onions and green chilies. Cook spoonfuls of this batter in a special appe pan until they turn golden brown and crispy.
Now we can say that adding dal to your breakfast menu can be a game-changer for your health and taste buds. The advantages and versatility of dal make it an ideal breakfast choice. So, start your day right with a hearty, dal-based breakfast and be super charged for the rest of the day!