From duck eggs to zucchini and Jerusalem artichokes

From duck eggs to zucchini and Jerusalem artichokes

Main dishes

A refreshing and nutritious traditional Bengali dish, perfect for a summer lunch. This lentil, zucchini, and sweet potato dal is easy to prepare and is go…

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Tador dal is a traditional Bengali dish that combines the sweet and spicy flavors of lentils with fresh vegetables such as zucchini and potatoes. This dal is ideal for a hot summer day, not only providing a refreshing and satisfying meal, but also offering essential nutrients. Here’s how you can prepare it at home.

Ingredients and directions

  • Prep time25 min
  • Cook time30 min
  • Total55 min
  • DifficultyEasy
  • CostBudget
  • Cooking methodpan, pot
  • Estimated cost$3.04 $0.76 / serving Estimated price; varies by store. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 7, 2026.
  • Vegetarian
  • Low fat
  • Low calorie

Ingredients

4 people
  • $1.49
  • $0.86
  • $0.17
  • $0.05
  • $0.15
  • $0.15
  • $0.05
  • $0.07
  • $0.05

Prices from US supermarkets for 6 of 9 ingredients; Belgian prices for the rest.

Directions

  1. First, lightly toast the green lentils in a dry pan over medium heat until they take on a slightly rosy color.
  2. Next, wash them thoroughly under running water. ≈ 2 min
  3. To reduce the bitterness of watermelon, you can cut it after cutting, then soak it in a small amount of salt for 10 minutes, and then rinse it with water.
  4. Cook the lentils in a pressure cooker or in a pot, adding a pinch of salt and turmeric.
  5. Heat some oil paint in a pan, then add a pinch of salt and turmeric.
  6. Continue cooking the pumpkin and apple chunks until they are lightly golden.
  7. Remove them from the pan.
  8. In a pot, add the remaining oil paint, as well as dried chili peppers, bay leaves, and mustard seeds. ≈ 3 min
  9. Once the spices have released their pleasant aroma, combine them in a pan with ginger paste and garlic, along with a small amount of water.
  10. In a pot, bring the lentils and the necessary amount of water to a boil.
  11. Once the broth starts to simmer, add the pre-cooked pumpkins and butternut squash.
  12. Add salt to taste. ≈ 3 min
  13. To balance the bitter taste, add a small amount of sugar. ≈ 3 min
  14. Once the zucchini is cooked and the soup has thickened, stir in the melted butter and remove from the heat.

The bill

From duck eggs to zucchini and Jerusalem artichokes

  • Lentils (green lentils): 1 cup$1.49
  • Ground apples (cut into small pieces): 2$0.86
  • oil paint (preferably rapeseed oil): 4 tablespoons$0.17
  • A five-leaf coffee spoon$0.05
  • Two dried chili peppers$0.15
  • Fresh garlic and ginger, chopped: 1 tablespoon$0.15
  • A small spoonful of yellow powder.$0.05
  • A little sugar$0.07
  • 1 tablespoon of butter$0.05

Total$3.04

that's $0.76 per person

Estimated price; varies by store.

Before you start

Ingredients

  • Lentils (green lentils): 1 cup
  • Squash/Zucchini (2, sliced thinly)
  • Ground apples (cut into small pieces): 2
  • oil paint (preferably rapeseed oil): 4 tablespoons
  • A five-leaf coffee spoon
  • Two dried chili peppers
  • Two leaves of tej (or tea leaves)
  • Fresh garlic and ginger, chopped: 1 tablespoon
  • A small spoonful of yellow powder.
  • To taste
  • A little sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of butter

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