Dal Makhani/ Makhani Dal -30 minutes meal
A whole black gram dal/lentil cooked with a tomato tempering and garnished with cream.A very rich and creamy lentil curry. 
Servings Prep Time
4serving 5minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
25minutes 60minutes
Servings Prep Time
4serving 5minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
25minutes 60minutes
Ingredients
for Garnish
For Tempering(garnish)
Instructions
  1. Preparing the tomato base for first tempering: In a pressure cooker,add 4 tomatoes slit into 4 pieces,garlic cloves ,ginger or grated ginger and water around 1/2 cup to avoid burning.Pressure cook this till 1 whistle on high flame.Then simmer the flame and cook for another whistle or for about 10 minutes.Let the steam release.Cool this mix and grind to a puree.Sieve the puree and keep aside.
  2. How to cook the Dal: While you are cooking the tomato puree for tempering,take another cooker and add the dal ,whole spices ,salt and turmeric powder and pressure cook the dal till 1 whistle on high flame .Then switch the flame to low and then cook for another 20 minutes or till nicely done. After 20 minutes if the dal is still under- cooked then cook it again in the pressure cooker (add water if needed) for another few minutes. It should be really soft and creamy.
  3. How to prepare the 1st tomato puree Tempering: Heat the oil in a deep pan.Let it come to boiling point and leave smokes.Switch off the flame and let the oil come to warm temperature.Its necessary to cook the mustard oil before you start cooking food in it.Now, heat it again and now add cumin seeds .Let them splutter and then add the tomato base as prepared in step 1.Now add 1/4 tsp of salt, red chilli powder and a pinch of turmeric powder.Simmer and let this mixture cook till oil separates. You may cover to expedite the process.Now,add the cooked dal and water if needed for consistency.Add the tomato puree and butter now.Cover this and cook for 5-6 minutes or till the dal is nicely cooked and creamy in texture. Add the kasoori methi and cream and bring to one boil.
  4. Pour in a serving bowl.In another pan heat ghee and once hot add the green chilli. Once the green chilli starts to splutter,pour this over the served dal.
  5. Serving: Make a swirl of heavy cream over the dal and garnish with coriander leaves.
  6. Serve hot with rice,pilaf ,naan or roti with fresh onion and green salad.