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    Home » Recipes » Easy Breakfast Recipes

    Steamed Lentil Dumplings (Nucchina Unde)

    Published: Mar 8, 2023 by Shilpa · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 32 votes
    Nuchinude or nucchina unde, also known as steamed lentil dumplings, is a breakfast or snack option that is rich in protein. It is created by combining a variety of lentils with simple spices, herbs, and aromatic ingredients. These dumplings are effortless to prepare, nourishing, and ideal for those who follow a vegan and gluten-free diet.
    Steamed lentil dumplings.

    Nucchina unde (nuchinunde or steamed lentil dumplings) is a healthy breakfast dish and snack popular in the state of Karnataka made using a mix of lentils. ‘Nuchu’ means broken and 'unde' means a ball or dumpling. In this recipe, the dal is broken by coarsely grinding it and is then shaped into dumplings and steamed in an idli stand.

    These guilt-free dal dumplings are easy to make and taste very similar to deep-fried masala vadas or ambode. Nuchina unde tastes great with majjige huli, which is a yogurt-based curry. This traditional dish is also made during festivals and is served with ghee and coconut chutney.

    The type and quantity of lentils used vary from region to region and every household has its favorite combination. This nucchina unde recipe was passed down to me. It uses four varieties of lentils along with some basic spices and herbs.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe?
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Useful tips
    • Storing and Reheating
    • Recipe card
    Nucchina unde.

    Why you will love this recipe?

    ✅ These healthy and wholesome steamed dumplings are grain-free and protein-rich. They can be served as breakfast, snacks, or even be served as a side dish with main meals.

    ✅ Nucchina unde is vegan and gluten-free. Lentils are a good source of plant-based protein if you are following a vegan or vegetarian diet.

    ✅ These dumplings are freezer-friendly and can be very handy to fuel up on busy weekday mornings. Just reheat them in a steamer, microwave, or air fryer.

    Nucchina unde or steamed lentil dumplings.

    Ingredients

    Lentils: I use a mix of toor dal (arhar dal), chana dal, moong dal, and urad dal which needs to be soaked for a couple of hours.

    Masala for grinding: Cumin seeds, fresh coconut, green chili, and ginger.

    Other ingredients: Onions and cilantro (coriander leaves).

    Steamed lentil dumplings or nucchina unde.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Soak chana dal, toor dal, moong dal, and urad dal together for 2-3 hours. Rinse well using fresh water. Grind the soaked dal with grated coconut, ginger, green chilies, and cumin into a coarse paste without adding any water (or using minimal water). Add onion, cilantro, and salt to the ground dal. Mix well.

    Soak lentils and grind them.

    Take a lemon-sized mixture and shape it into a dumpling. Lightly grease idli plates and place the dumpling on them. Steam for 15 minutes in the idli steamer.

    Shape and place in steamer.

    Once they are steamed, let them sit in the stand for another 5 minutes before taking them out of the molds.

    Steamed perfectly.

    Useful tips

    It is important to grind the dal with minimal water. We should be able to scoop and make oval-shaped dumplings easily without the batter falling apart.

    Let the steamed dumplings sit in the idli stand for 5 minutes before taking them out. Slightly cooling them will make it easy to remove them from the mold.

    Other ingredients that can be added to the batter are curry leaves, dill leaves, green onions, and grated carrots. For this recipe, you will need around one cup dill leaves.

    Serve nuchinunde hot as they tend to get a bit hard when cold. These dumplings taste best when served with a generous amount of ghee.

    Nucchina unde (nuchinunde).

    Storing and Reheating

    These lentil dumplings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. They also freeze well and can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat them, place them in a steamer and reheat them for 4-5 minutes.

    I also love to air fry them to add a crunchy top layer. Brush a little bit of oil on them and place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390 F (200 C) for 5-7 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

    Air fry leftovers.

    Steamed masala vada when air-fried tastes very similar to deep-fried masala vada.

    Air fryer lentil dumplings.

    If you liked this recipe, please don't forget to give a 5-star rating and leave a comment below.

    Recipe card

    Steamed lentil dumplings.

    Steamed Lentil Dumplings (Nucchina Unde)

    Nuchinude or nucchina unde, also known as steamed lentil dumplings, is a breakfast or snack option that is rich in protein. It is created by combining a variety of lentils with simple spices, herbs, and aromatic ingredients. These dumplings are effortless to prepare, nourishing, and ideal for those who follow a vegan and gluten-free diet.
    5 from 32 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: Shilpa
    Course: Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 20 dumplings
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup toor dal pigeon pea
    • ¾ cup chana dal Bengal gram
    • ¼ cup moong dal yellow lentils
    • ¼ cup urad dal split black gram
    • ¼ cup coconut grated
    • 1 inch ginger
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 3-4 green chili or as per taste
    • 1 large onion finely chopped
    • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon salt adjust as per taste

    Instructions

    • Soak chana dal, toor dal, moong dal, and urad dal together for 2-3 hours. Rinse well using fresh water.
    • Grind the soaked dal with coconut, ginger, green chilies, and cumin into a coarse paste without adding any water (or use minimal water).
    • Mix onion, cilantro, and salt into the ground dal.
    • Take a lemon-sized mixture and shape it into a dumpling.
    • Lightly grease idli plates and place the dumpling on them.
    • Steam for 15 minutes in the idli steamer. Once they are steamed, let them sit in the stand for another 5 minutes before taking them out of the molds.
    • Serve hot with coconut chutney or chutney of your choice.

    Notes

    See the tips section for useful tips on making and storing this dish.
    Nutrition Facts
    Steamed Lentil Dumplings (Nucchina Unde)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    76
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.01
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.04
    g
    Sodium
     
    147
    mg
    6
    %
    Potassium
     
    21
    mg
    1
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    13
    g
    4
    %
    Fiber
     
    4
    g
    17
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    20
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2
    mg
    2
    %
    Calcium
     
    22
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Namaste and welcome to Easy Indian Cookbook, where you'll find simple and delicious recipes with an Indian flair! I'm Shilpa, and I'm passionate about bringing the flavors of my culture to your kitchen. Discover the convenience of wholesome and nourishing Indian cuisine with my recipes, crafted to be quick and hassle-free. So join me on this culinary journey, and let's create delicious, homemade meals that celebrate the vibrant and diverse flavors of India! Read More…

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