Masoor Dal Makhani

Dal makhani is a speciality dish from Punjab. Lentils are a very essential food group rich in proteins and fiber. Traditionally this recipe is made from a combination of black gram dal & kidney beans. The dals are cooked for hours until they get a creamy texture.

This makhani is a little simplified & a lighter version made with whole masoor dal, which in comparision with black gram cooks faster. The process is speedened up more by pressure cooking. Even if it is cooked traditionally, the dish is ready in an hour.

Ingredients
2 cups masoor dal
4 cups water

1 medium sized onion, sliced
1 medium sized tomato, sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2" piece of ginger, grated/crushed
2-3 green chillies, slit lengthwise

1 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tbsp of cooking oil
salt to taste

cilantro, to garnish

Method

• Heat oil in the pressure cooker. Add the ginger, garlic, green chillies & onions. Saute it for a while.
• Add the tomatoes & cook till they become mushy. Add the turmeric, chilli, coriander and garam masala powders.
• Add the dal, water & salt and pressure cook for 3-4 whistles.
• Once the pressure is down, check if the dals are cooked. Add water if necessary. Cook the dals little further on low heat until they are nice & creamy.
• Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot with rotis.

Carrot Dal subji

A simple & delcious way to have a vegetable & dal combined in a nutritious way.

Ingredients

1 lb carrots, diced into small cubes

1/2 cup moong dal ( soaked in water for 10-15 mins)

1 small onion, sliced

2-3 green chillies, slit lengthwise

few curry leaves

1 tsp turmeric powder

salt to taste

Tadka

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tbsp cooking oil

Method

• Heat oil in a pan, add the mustard & cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
• Then add the onions, green chillies & curry leaves and saute until onions are golden brown.
• Add the carrots, soaked moong dal, turmeric & salt. Mix well. Add about 1 cup water. Let it cook on low heat until the dal is fully cooked.
• Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot with rotis or rice.

Quick & Easy Tadka Dal

Just couple of minutes and create this simple delicious dal packed with proteins. Very easy to prepare, yet very tasty.

Ingredients
1 cup masoor dal
1 medium size onion, sliced
1 medium size tomato, diced
2-3 green chillies, slit long
2-3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tsp jeera
1 tsp turmeric powder
salt to taste

For tadka
2 tsp cooking oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp jeera

For garnish
cilantro, chopped fine Quick view of all the ingredients
Dal starting to boil at about 6-7 minutes.

Method
Wash dal. Put all the ingredients in a saucepan. Add 2 cups water. Add salt as per taste. Let it boil, which usually takes 6-7 minutes. Reduce the gas to medium heat & let it cook till done, which usually takes 12-15 minutes.

Make tadka and pour over the dal. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Dal is ready to serve with steamed rice/chapatis.
Dal ready to serve