gujarati toor dal (split pigeon pea soup)

Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Peas) Soup | conifères & feuillus

Food, in the end, in our own tradition, is something holy. It’s not about nutrients and calories. It’s about sharing. It’s about honesty. It’s about identity. -Louise Fresco

My last post featured a Westernized version of the classic Gujarati toor dal soup. Today, I’m posting my family recipe for the traditional version. Toor dal (or split pigeon pea) has been cultivated in India for at least 3500 years and is a staple in Indian cuisine. However, in a Gujarati home, toor dal (which refers to both the uncooked legume as well as the soup) is a daily affair and is eaten during every meal. Although classified as a soup here in the West, it’s not eaten as you would a soup: it’s ladled over rice and eaten alongside rotis and a curry, at the very least. (Google ‘Gujarati thali’ to see what a typical Gujarati meal looks like).

Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Peas) Soup | conifères & feuillus

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citrusy split pigeon pea soup

split pigeon pea and orange soup | conifères & feuillus

Happy New Year! 2017 has arrived! After all that cooking and baking and over-indulgence, are you craving some simple nourishment? Me too. And I’ve got the perfect recipe to take care of that!

Of all the soups that I have ever served to guests, this one shines as a favourite.  Plus, it’s so simple to make. Not counting the spices, there are only 3 ingredients: split yellow pigeon peas, tomatoes and oranges. The result is a delicious soup balanced equally with just enough spice and just enough citrusy flavour.

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