Dal Makhani Recipe Restaurant Style in Cooker - Tips & Tricks

Directions

  1. 1Take 1 cup of black urad dal and ¼ cup of rajma in a large bowl.
  2. 2Add enough water and soak overnight or at least for 8 hours.
  3. 3Rinse the dal in running water and transfer into a cooker.
  4. 4Add 3 cups of water.
  5. 5Also add some salt to taste.
  6. 6Close the lid and pressure cook on medium flame for 5 whistles, or till the dals are cooked completely.
  7. 7In a large kadai add a tbsp of ghee and saute bay leaf for a minute, or till they turn fragrant.
  8. 8Then add finely chopped onions and saute till they change in color.
  9. 9Once onions are done, add ginger-garlic paste and saute till raw smell disappears completely.
  10. 10Now add chopped tomatoes and cook till they are soft.
  11. 11Add turmeric, coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli powder and salt to taste.
  12. 12Cook the masalas for a minute.
  13. 13Once the masalas start releasing oil from sides, add cooked dal and give a good stir.
  14. 14Adjust the consistency by adding 1 cup of water or as required.
  15. 15Boil for 15 minutes or more till the dal absorbs flavor and turns thick.
  16. 16To get the creamy texture, add 2 tbsp of fresh cream.
  17. 17Top up with fresh coriander leaves.
  18. 18Heat tadka pan, and add a tbsp or more ghee.
  19. 19Once it begins to melt, add hing.
  20. 20Also add chilli powder and garam masala (optional).
  21. 21Fry for 2-3 seconds.
  22. 22Immediately pour the tempering over dal makhani.
  23. 23Give a good mix to get bright color and flavor.
  24. 24Serve dal makhani with jeera rice or garlic naan.

Ingredients

  • 0.75 cup whole black urad dal / sabut urad dal
  • 0.25 cup kidney beans / rajma
  • water for soaking
  • 3 cups water, for pressure cooking
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp ghee / clarified butter
  • 1 bay leaf / tej patta
  • 2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 0.5 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp kashmiri chilli powder, or as per your spice level
  • salt to taste
  • 1 cup water, or as required
  • 2 tbsp fresh cream, or as required
  • few coriander leaves, chopped
  • 1 tbsp ghee / clarified butter
  • generous pinch hing / asafoetida
  • 0.75 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
  • 0.25 tsp garam masala, optional

Equipment

large bowlcookerkadaitadka pan

Tips

  • Soak lentils and beans overnight (at least 8 hours) for proper cooking; alternatively, use canned options if time is short.
  • For authentic and earthy taste, prepare the dal in a clay pot or oven.
  • The consistency may thicken upon resting; add water and bring to a boil to thin it, or boil for several minutes to thicken if too thin.
  • Mash or blend some pressure-cooked dal and mix it with the curry for a creamier texture.
  • Adding tadka (tempering) is not mandatory but helps balance the flavor and lower the creaminess effect.
  • Increase the amount of ghee if not diet conscious.
  • Add dry fenugreek leaves / Kasuri methi for a rich flavor.