Dal Makhani
Dal makhani is one of the most popular Indian dishes. This spicy lentil preparation is made a mix of rajma or red kidney beans and whole black gram or sabut urad dal and a perfect blend of whole spices.
Ingredients
1 cup whole black gram (whole urad dal/sabut urad)
½ cup kidney beans (rajma)
4 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin or ½ teaspoon cumin powder
½ teaspoon red chili powder (lal mirch powder)
½ teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
2 medium sized tomatoes, finely chopped
1 inch ginger (adrak), finely chopped
4 to 5 medium garlic cloves (lahsun), finely chopped
1 teaspoon punjabi garam masala or garam masala powder
2 to 3 tablespoons butter or ghee or oil
2 to 3 tablespoons low fat cream, optional
salt as required
few coriander leaves for garnishing, optional
Directions
- Soak the both the rajma and urad dal overnight if you are making this in the morning.
- If you are making dal makhani in the evening, then soak the dals in the morning.
- In a pressure cooker, add all the ingredients including the dals/lentils and white butter.
- Add water. Pressure cook for some 12-15 whistles (45 minutes).
- Open and check if the lentils are cooked.
- You should be able to mash the both the urad dal and rajma with spoon if they are cooked completely.
- If they are not cooked thoroughly, then pressure cook for 2-3 whistles (6-9 minutes) more.
- Add water if required.
- Now again open the cooker and let the dal makhani simmer in the cooker itself without the lid for 10-15 minutes or more till you get a smooth and creamy consistency and texture.
- If you wish to add cream, you can add cream now and let the dal makhani simmer for 5 or 10 minutes more.
- If you like then you can Garnish Dal Makhani with coriander-cilantro leaves (optional).
- Serve dal makhani hot with hot rotis, naan, or jeera rice.