Dal makhani

Dal makhani is a traditional Punjabi recipe. It is now famous throughout the country and you can easily find it in menu of any restaurant. Even the dhabas serve good dal makhani. It’s a simple recipe but still very delicious. Dal is cooked and added to a nice tadka of butter, cumin and tomatoes.

Ingredients

Whole urad dal(Black lentils)  - 1 cup

Rajma (kidney beans)  - 1 tablespoon

Ginger (Finely chopped)  - ½ inch

Garlic cloves (Finely chopped)  - 3 pieces

Green chilies  - 2 pieces

Butter 50 grams

Cumin -1 teaspoon

Ginger garlic paste  1 teaspoon

Tomatoes(Chopped)  - 3 pieces chopped

Red chili powder  - ¼ teaspoon

Salt to taste

Food color mixed in a tablespoon of water

Method:

Soak urad dal and rajma overnight. Wash it thoroughly and drain excess water.

Put urad dal, rajma, ginger, 2 cloves of garlic, green chilies, salt and 3 cups of water in pressure cooker and cook for 10 minutes after first whistle. When it is done mash it with back of spatula or ladle.

Now heat butter in a heavy bottom pan. When it melts add cumin. When it changes color add 1 clove of chopped garlic and then add ginger garlic paste. Saute for 2 minutes. Add red chilli powder and cook for a minute.

Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes or till tomatoes leave oil. You can observe it on the sides of pan.

Now add cooked dal and food color in pan and bring it to boil. Now allow to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Garnish with a cube of butter and serve with white rice or roti.

P.S.- Mash dal lightly just to gain a consistency. Adding food color is optional, you can skip it if you want.