Lentil Kolas Recipe

Name: Lentil Kolas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup toor dal (yellow lentils); 4 red chilies; 1 teaspoon anise seed; 1 onion; 3 stalks of fresh curry leaves; 1 tablespoon coconut, grated; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 large onion; 5 cloves garlic; 1 tomatoes; 2 stalks curry leaves; 2 inches cinnamon sticks; 2 cardamoms; 5 cloves; 2 teaspoons sambhar powder (Check note below); ¼ cup tamarind pulp; 1 tablespoon oil; salt

Servings: persons

1 cup toor dal (yellow lentils)
4 red chilies
1 teaspoon anise seed
1 onion
3 stalks of fresh curry leaves
1 tablespoon coconut, grated
1 teaspoon salt
1 large onion
5 cloves garlic
1 tomatoes
2 stalks curry leaves
2 inches cinnamon sticks
2 cardamoms
5 cloves
2 teaspoons sambhar powder (Check note below)
¼ cup tamarind pulp
1 tablespoon oil
salt

1
Wash the lentils well.
2
Soak in water and keep aside for 30 minutes.
3
Drain water.
4
Grind the lentils, red chillies, aniseeds and a little salt coarsely.
5
Add to the ground mixture, the grated coconut, finely cut curry leaves and onions.
6
Mix well.
7
Make small lemon-sized balls out of it.
8
Don't press the balls too hard as it may not get cooked inside.
9
Place the balls in an idli cooker or pressure cooker (without weight).
10
Steam it for 10 minutes till the kolas are cooked.
11
Remove the kolas once they are ready.
12
Keep aside.
13
For gravy: Grind 1/2 cup of coconut and 1 tsp.
14
aniseed together.
15
Keep aside.
16
Heat oil in a pan.
17
Fry cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and a pinch of aniseeds for a minute.
18
Add finely cut onions, garlic, curry leaves and saute till light brown.
19
Add tomato and fry for 5 minutes.
20
Add 3 cups of water, salt, sambar powder and tamarind water.
21
Let it boil for 10 minutes.
22
Add the ground coconut-aniseed paste and mix well.
23
When it begins to boil, add the kolas to it.
24
Cover the pan.
25
Allow it to cook on medium flame for 10 minutes.
26
Remove from flame.
27
Garnish with corriander leaves.
28
Serve with rice or rotis.
29
Enjoy your meal!
30
Note:If sambar powder is not available, use a mixture of 1/4 tsp.
31
turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp.
32
corriander powder and 1 tsp.
33
red chilli powder.

187

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 18 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup toor dal (yellow lentils), 4 red chilies, 1 teaspoon anise seed, 1 onion, and more.

Yes, Lentil Kolas falls under the Vegetarian category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Lentil Kolas

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions