Indian food, Andhra recipes and Global cuisine inspired cooking

Indian Food, Andhra cuisine, North and South Indian Recipes, Ayurveda, Traditional Cooking

Dal Makhani

Its finally here. JFI – Dal event! The entries have been pouring in and must say that each and every recipe, I have seen so far, is a winner. June was the lentil month here at my blog and I enjoyed blogging all the recipes involving lentils.

Dal Makhani - North Indian dal recipe

Today, I am blogging a favorite North Indian lentil recipe, Dal Makhani as my entry for JFI- Dal. Dal Makhani is a rich, hearty dish which is full of proteins. Black lentils and red kidney beans are simmered in a creamy sauce of butter, onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic and spices and liberally garnished with cream. I did reduce the quantity of butter, ghee and cream in the recipe to make it less rich and keeping in mind - calories :)

Dal Makhani Recipe

Recipe source: From my recipe files

Prep & Cooking: 40 mts

Serves 5-6 persons

Cuisine: North Indian

.

Ingredients:

1 cup black lentils (kaali sabut dal) –soak in water for 8 hours and pressure cook till soft

1/2 cup red kidney beans (rajma) – soak in water for 8 hours and pressure cook along with blank lentils till soft

2 tbsp ghee

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 big onions, finely chopped

2 green chillies, slit lengthwise

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

salt to taste

2 big tomatoes, finely chopped

¼ cup butter

1 tsp garam masala powder

2-3 tbsp malai (cream of milk)

ginger juliennes for garnish

1 Pre-heat ghee in a heavy bottomed vessel. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add the chopped onions and green chillis and sauté the onions till pink.
2 Add ginger garlic paste and fry for 3-4 mts. Add the turmeric pwd, chilli pwd and salt and combine.
3 Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-6 mts. Now add the pressure cooked dals along with a cup of water and mix well till they are well coated with the masala mixture. Cook covered for 3-4 mts on medium heat.
4 Add butter, combine and cook for 5 mts.
5 Add malai and garam masala and mix well. Garnish with ginger juliennes.
6 Serve with hot rotis.

Dal Makhani - Punjabi dal dish
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Ma.gnolia
Tagged as:

By sailu • Jul 1st, 2006 • Category: All Recipes, Curries & Gravies, Dals & Legumes, Indian Lentil Recipes, North Indian Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

33 Responses »

  1. krithika on July 1st, 2006 at 8:47 am:

    Sailu you have given a festive look to this event. Your dal makhani looks great. I dont count calories when it comes to this dish.

    Thank you, Krithika. Yes, the flavor of dal makhani is absolutely wonderful when made with lots of cream and butter. I hate to count calories too but then I just cant allow myself not to count the calories when making a rich dish like dal makhani..:)

  2. Linda on July 1st, 2006 at 8:55 am:

    Oooh… at last I can make this without the guilt. Looks so good, sailu! Can’t wait to see your roundup and all the other recipes.

    Your going to love the roundup for sure, Linda..:)

  3. Paz on July 1st, 2006 at 9:02 am:

    Looking at this dish makes me VERY hungry! Looks good!

    Paz

    Oh Paz, I wish I could send some over..:):)

  4. Tanuja on July 1st, 2006 at 10:18 am:

    wow what a yummy entry sailu its really a rich dish , the snaps looks good as always.

    Thank you, Tanuja..:)

  5. Indira on July 1st, 2006 at 10:55 am:

    I am so excited for you, Sailu and thanks again for hosting this event.

    Of all the entries that you have published for this event, my favorite is ofcourse karjikayalu sweet. Love it!

    I have also voted for dal makhani, mainly because this is one dish that I have never attempted at home and I wanted to know how you’d prepare. You didn’t disappoint, not only calorie friendly but also looks delicious!

    I can’t wait to read the roundup. Happy hosting! :)

    I must profusely thank you for giving me this opportunity to host JFI Dal event. I thoroughly enjoyed hosting this event and am working on the round up which should be up hopefully soon.
    I am glad you like the recipe, Indira..:):)

  6. Priya on July 1st, 2006 at 11:41 am:

    WONDERFUL recipe Sailu, I had voted for it in ur Blog a recipe Column. Dal Makhani is such a simple yet uniquely flavored recipe. And a dash of cream just adds magic to it.

    I actually submitted a comment sometime back but it does not appear in the list. I have been blog trotting for the last hour looking at other entries and I have to commend u for the excellent choice of ingredient.

    Every recipe I saw was culturally and emotionaly close to the blogger and all of them had the festive, happy touch to them.DAL is definitely a very good representative of India, now I can say that with strong proof. I am sure your going to have a Magnificent round-up.

    Three cheers to you. Hip Hip Hurray !!

    Your so right in pointing out that each and every recipe blogged for this event is unique and very culturally and emotionally close to the blogger. I am so glad I chose DAL as an ingredient..:):). Am working on the round up and see you soon at the round up, Priya.

  7. Orchidea on July 1st, 2006 at 1:59 pm:

    This dish looks so good… I will definitely try it.
    Ciao.

    Do let me know how it turns out, Orchidea

  8. meenoo on July 1st, 2006 at 2:25 pm:

    I have always wanted to learn how to make this dish and now I know the right type of dal to use. I can get red kidney beans in a can but what is the black dal and where can I buy it?

    Thanks.

    Its whole black urad dal with skin. Its available in most grocery stores. You can also use black masoor dal.

  9. Ashwini on July 1st, 2006 at 2:27 pm:

    Lovely dish Sailu. I am so sorry I couldnt participate this time because of guests at home and moving house. But its been great fun blog hopping and looking at all the entries.
    Great work!

    You dont have to be sorry about it, Ashwini. Better luck next time..:) See you at the round up!

  10. Sury on July 2nd, 2006 at 9:46 am:

    Hi Sailu

    The Dal Makhani looks gorgeously tempting! I am drooling…

    I can hardly wait to see the JFI round-up. Btw, did you receive my entry in your email? I didn’t hear from you, so just checking.

    Happy hosting :)

    Thank you, Sury. I have received your lovely entry. I am working on the round up and see you soon at the round up..:)

  11. Archana on July 2nd, 2006 at 9:46 am:

    Nice recipe Sailu,thank you for hosting the event, can’t wait to read the round up.
    Archana

    The pleasure is all mine, Archana. I enjoyed this event and am working on the round up. See you at the round up!

  12. shynee nair on July 2nd, 2006 at 9:54 am:

    Many of us seem to have fallen in love with Dal Makhani…amazing to see that you too have posted Dal Makhani for the Jihva event…lot of telepathy in the blogosphere!!

    Oh yes! You can say that again, Shynee..:)

  13. gattina on July 2nd, 2006 at 12:56 pm:

    Sailu,
    I always prefer something richer and creamier, your dal makhani is tempting me!
    Thanks for your effort and time in hosting this event!
    Just a side note, everytime I click to come to your blog, it takes quite a while to appear…is it only me?

    I am enjoying this event thoroughly, Gattina and see you at the round up soon..:)
    I am having server issues since am moving to a different host. Hopefully it should resolve soon, Gattina and thank you for your patience.

  14. Radha on July 2nd, 2006 at 3:12 pm:

    Like always you never dissapoint with your recipes and ofcourse the pictures. Good One!

    Thank you, Radhika.

  15. Vaishali on July 2nd, 2006 at 4:50 pm:

    Oooooooooooh.
    That’s all I can say. :)

    ..lol..:):)

  16. Linda on July 2nd, 2006 at 10:03 pm:

    Sailu, hooray indeed! Now I can enjoy all the lovely flavor of dal makhani without all the guilt (less butter, cream……wonderful). It looks just great; can’t wait to try.

    I’m sure you’re very busy cooking up your roundup that everyone is so looking forward to — can’t wait to see that, too! :)

    Yes, Linda, am working on the round up and its pretty time taking. Havent been keeping too well these past few days and hence the delay. Stay tuned for the round up!!

  17. Mythili on July 4th, 2006 at 10:57 am:

    Sailu,
    photos levu, em levu. kaani post undhi :D link idigondi.

    http://www.orugallu.net/vinDu/?p=49

    Looking forward to your round up :)

    Photos lekkapoyina parvalaydu, Mythili. See you at the round up.

  18. Linda on July 4th, 2006 at 3:20 pm:

    Sailu, you must be so busy with Jihva roundup and still finding time to cook up all these delicious things. A dal makhani without the guilt — I love it. Will try this very soon, thanks!

    Yes, am pretty busy with the round-up and am enjoying it too..:)

  19. RP on July 4th, 2006 at 6:10 pm:

    Looks great Sailu!
    Eagerly looking forward to your roundup.

    See you at the round up, RP.

  20. ArSu on July 5th, 2006 at 10:32 am:

    Hi Sailu
    I’ve been admiring ur blog but this is the first time i am expressing it, the traditional recipes, the presentation everything is simply superb.

    Oh, your too kind, ArSu. Thank you..:)

  21. Nav on July 6th, 2006 at 6:02 am:

    Yummy! Yummy! Hope some day I will make it too..

    Do make it, Nav, your sure to enjoy it.

  22. Nupur on July 7th, 2006 at 4:43 am:

    I made this as a special treat a couple of days ago, and it turned out fantastic! I could not believe the rich and authentic taste. Thanks for sharing a great recipe, Sailu, this is one I will make again and again.

    Nupur, I am so happy to hear you say that it turned out fanastic and why wouldnt it be ?! -:)

  23. Nila on July 8th, 2006 at 5:24 pm:

    The second picture is very appetizing one. Nice recipe Sailu. will try it soon.

    You will like it for sure, Nila..:)

  24. Priya Gawade on September 15th, 2006 at 2:09 am:

    the picture itself says everything!!!!!!

  25. vani on December 15th, 2006 at 12:03 pm:

    Sailaja garu,

    Please tell me the recipe for Dal makhani.
    U wrote “kaali sabut dal” in dal makhani recipee.
    I cud not get it here. pl.help.
    Can u please give me “mixed veg. korma recipee?

    Thank you,

    Vani.
    Note: I LIKE ALL YOUR RECIPEES IN YOUR WEBSITE.

  26. Krista on December 21st, 2006 at 10:12 pm:

    Wow. I made this a week and a half ago, and have only just now recovered my senses. Amazing. Brilliant. Shockingly good.

    Thank you.
    k

  27. RS on April 26th, 2007 at 6:53 pm:

    I just made this tonight and it was yummy. Thank you for such a great recipe :)

  28. Pecos blue on May 18th, 2007 at 3:05 pm:

    Great ideas thank you. Do you have any kids recipeies that you would recommend?

    thank you

  29. Valerie on November 14th, 2007 at 5:05 pm:

    Sailu I’m a new cook and I regularly check your website. I’ve tried the khicdi and the tomato sabji and they were awesome. The instructions were great. Will try dal makhani. I love idlis but cant get the batter thing right. Any suggestions. Cheer.

  30. Book of Yum - Blog on December 5th, 2007 at 7:02 am:

    […] Variations:Dal Makhani (see entry for Paneer Makhani, above). Hearty Dal Makhani from the Punjabi region is composed of black lentils and red kidney beans in a creamy butter, onions, tomatoes, and ginger-garlic sauce. A lighter recipe for Dal Makhani (use lowfat yogurt). […]

  31. swathi on March 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pm:

    hi sailu
    do u have any receipes of paneer??? i didnt find any…so…

    Paneer Recipes

  32. natalie on April 17th, 2008 at 6:44 pm:

    I really like your take on Dal Makhani. This is my favourite dhal by far, it’s the creamy goodness that gets me I think.

    Someone above asked about kids recipes, dal makhani is great for kids, you can reduce the chilli if your child’s palette is not grown enough. But my youngest is the chilli freak in our house, she is 2 and loves dhal. Eats it for breakfast when she can get away with it.

  33. sree on April 29th, 2008 at 1:06 pm:

    hello sailaja,
    I want to try this recipe but i have a few questions.
    1.What is this kaali sabut dal??Naaku idea ledu.Any substitue for this??
    2.Rajma canned di ok na for this recipe.
    Hope u will answer my qs asap.

    Thanks
    sree

Leave a Reply

I welcome your comments/feedback that are constructive and useful to all. I try to respond to every query/comment made here. However, sometimes due to time constraints I may not be able to respond. Your inputs are highly appreciated. Thank you.