In Indian households, dal plays an important role in day-to-day dietary consumption. In fact, dal is more than just a dish; it’s a cornerstone of nutrition that provides essential proteins and nutrients to our bodies. It is extremely versatile, and you can incorporate it into several dishes – from comforting curries to flavorful salads. We in India do not believe in waste and try to utilize all the by-products of dishes. This is where the importance of dal water or dal ka paani comes into play. This liquid is a nutrient-rich water that gets leftover after cooking pulses. Not just for babies, but dal water can be incorporated into several meals and around the household. Intrigued? Read on to learn 5 ways to reuse dal water.
Also Read: Osaman Recipe: This Gujarati-Style Rasam Can Be A Flavourful Addition To Your Summer Diet
5 Ways To Reuse Dal Water
1. For Rice or Grains
Dal water can easily enhance the taste of rice or grains as it adds depth and nutrition to these dishes. All you have to do is substitute water with dal water while cooking rice, quinoa, or any other grains of your choice. This would result in subtly seasoned rice or grains that can be paired with curries, stir-fries, or roasted vegetables.
2. For Soups
Have you tried adding dal water to your soup? Dal water acts as a broth base for soups as it adds a rich flavour to it. Use it for vegetable soups, lentil stews, or even creamy pureed soups. Dal water in these soups and stews adds an extra layer of warmth and complexity, making them both nutritious and comforting.
3. For Curries
Not only does it enhance the flavour of your curries, but dal water serves as a natural thickening agent for your dishes. Add it to your favourite curry recipes to impart a subtle lentil flavour and create a silky, luxurious texture. You can also use dal water as a base for tomato-based sauces or creamy gravies to increase its nutritional value.
Dal water can be used in baking.
Photo Credit: Istock
4. For Baking
As unusual as it sounds, try incorporating dal water into your baking projects to impart moisture and flavor to them. While baking bread, pastries, pancakes, or muffins, replace the water portion with dal water to add depth and complexity to the result. This would end up increasing the aroma and taste of your baked dishes with a hint of lentil goodness.
5. For Watering Plants
Dal water is packed with nutrition, which is essential for your plant’s growth. The vitamins and minerals in the liquid can nourish your plants and promote healthy growth. For this, dal water from moong dal is particularly beneficial for plant growth as it’s packed with enzymes, amino acids, and hormones that are essential for plant growth.
Also Read: Chef-Special: Try This Creamy ‘Dal Dhaba’ Recipe To Impress Your Family
Is there any other way to incorporate dal water into your diet? Let us know in the comments below!