Navalkol Dal Recipe

Kohlrabi And Lentil Curry Recipe

Navalkol dal recipe is made with Kohlrabi. Kohlrabi is known as knolkol or navalkol in Indian languages. I like the sound of knolkol so I will be using that name here on this page.

This recipe of knolkol with lentil uses few spices.

You can use whole or split Masoor(red lentil), split or whole mung(mung dal/ green gram dal)as both cook equally fast. You may also use toor dal/arhar dal. Wash and soak toor dal for about 20 minutes before cooking as Toor dal takes a little longer time to cook

Choose tender knolkol. You will need to remove the skin of knolkol and use only the fleshy part. You may use the leaves too.

I am using split Masoor dal(red lentils) for this recipe. Knolkol and masoor, both have a similar cooking time.

You may also use whole masoor / red lentils instead of split ones.

If you use pressure cooker for cooking this dal, you can reduce cooking time considerably.

How to make Navalkol dal recipe – Knolkol and Lentil Curry

Main ingredients for navalkol masoor dal curry

Navalkol – Kohlrabi – knolkol

Masoor dal – Split red lentils

Ingredients for navalkol dal curry for 3-4 servings

• Knolkol – 1 cup, cut into bite sized pieces.
• Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp
• Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp
• Red chili powder – 1/4 teaspoon.
• Salt – 1/2 tsp according to taste.
• Masoor dal(red lentil) – 1/2 cup.
• Freshly grated coconut(optional) – 1 tbsp.
• Sugar/ jaggery – 1/2 tsp.
• Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp.
• Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 tsp

Tempering Ingredients

• Oil -1tbsp.
• Turmeric powder(optional) – 1 tbsp.
• Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp
• Asafoetida (hing) : a pinch.

Step by step instructions for making kohlrabi and lentil curry :

1. Boil knolkol and dal together in 1 1/2 cup water till just done(it will take about 10-15 minutes). Or you can pressure cook it together.
2. Heat oil in a pan.
3. Add mustard and cumin seed. When they stop spluttering, add Asafoetida (hing) and turmeric powder.
4. Add the cooked knolkol/masoor dal mix.
5. Add chili powder, cumin and coriander powder, curry leaves.
6. Add salt, sugar. Stir and continue cooking.
7.  Add a little water to get the desired consistency. It should be dal like consistency. Neither too watery nor too thick.
8. Cook on low flame for 5 minutes. Add fresh coconut, chopped Coriander leaves(cilantro). Mix well.

Serve it with Steamed Rice or Chapati

Enjoy

 Tips and variations

• To reduce final cooking time, you can cook kohlrabi and dal for 10 minutes before adding to seasoning.
• Or you can pressure cook it.
• Though I am not using onion and garlic in this recipe, you may add it if you like. Add onion in the tempering, add chopped garlic or garlic paste and fry for a minute. Then add the cooked dal and navalkol.

You may visit Methi Dal recipe