Urad dal is just one of the beans and lentils used in Indian cooking.
Urad dal, known to scientists as "vigna mungo," is a small black-skinned bean that is widely used in Indian cooking, either with or without its skin. It is sometimes referred to as black lentils or, when skinned, white lentils. Although urad dal will seldom be found in a mainstream supermarket, there are several ways for interested home cooks to secure a supply.
Indian Markets
The most reliable place to purchase urad dal is an Indian market, if you live in a city that supports one or more such specialty groceries. Urad dal is prized in several cultures across the Indian subcontinent, so it is just as likely to be found in a Punjabi-run store as one that is Tamil-run. The dal can be purchased whole or split and with or without skin. All four variations are used in many dishes.
Bulk and Health Food Stores
Diets heavy in grains and legumes are widely recognized as healthy, and the combination is especially important for vegetarians. Bulk food and health food stores stock a wide variety of beans, lentils and other pulses, and can usually source urad dal if they do not carry it as a regular stock item, however, all four whole and split versions may not be available from such stores.
Online Vendors
There are a large number of online vendors catering to the vegetarian and expatriate Asian markets. Durable bulk goods such as beans and lentils are easy and inexpensive to ship, as they are neither fragile nor especially perishable. Online vendors are not limited by shelf space or the vagaries of a specific geographic clientele, so they are able to stock a wide range of products.
Indian Restaurants
If no other avenue is conveniently available to you, or if you require the dal on short notice, it is often possible to buy a small quantity of dal from your local Indian restaurant. Most restaurants run on very small margins of profit, and are often happy to sell hard-to-find ingredients for a bit of extra revenue. Your selection will be limited to whichever version or versions of the dal they offer on their menu.
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