Traditionally, Daal Makhni, the well-known Punjabi dish, is made with Urad Daal, or Black Gram lentils. This is a popular lentil in Indian cuisine, particularly in South and North India.

Once maligned as an unimaginative vegetarian option, lentils shouldn’t be overlooked as a delicious dinner staple (as anyone who’s ever tasted Dishoom’s sublime black lentil daal should know).