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    Home » Recipes » Gravies

    Punjabi Dal Makhani with tips & suggestions

    Published: Feb 20, 2018 · by Nisha

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Punjabi Dal Makhani - A creamy and buttery gravy made of whole urad dal, rajma and channa dal. Slow cooked and simmered to get a delectable rich dal. Perfect to make ahead for weeknight dinner and a great crowd pleaser.

    Dal is so synonymous with the Indian cuisine. From a simple Punjabi dal tadka to the rich and delicious dal makhani, Indian cuisine has so many recipes using dal. From pulses to legumes and lentils, we make use of everything in our cuisine. We make spice mixes, the most popular vada is made with three kinds of lentils, idli, dosa and I can go on... This recipe - dal makhani, is the king of Indian gravies, especially in the vegetarian category. Dal makhani is an exemplary dish that makes use of lentils in the best way possible.

    Close up shot of the Dal makhani, rich and delicious lentil based dish.

    Dal makhani origin

    Dal makhani is one of the most renowned dishes inside and outside of India. This rich delicacy has its root in the Punjab region. The Punjabis know how to handle the lentils. This dish was created by the famous Kundan Lal of the Motimahal restaurant. He is the founder of the famous Butter chicken or Murgh Makhani. It is said that he wanted to create a creamy vegetarian dish to balance the array of non veg dishes prepared in his kitchen. He used the same makhani sauce as the base and added a combination of urad dal, rajma and channa dal. Thus, the most popular vegetarian dish of India came alive. Dal makhani is quite simple to make but time-consuming. Traditionally, it is slow cooked on low flame overnight. The slow cooking is what makes the dish tasty. Urad dal when cooked slow and low, gives a wonderful flavour and this is a perfect recipe for slow cooker. I have listed four important things that helps you to make the best dal makhani every time.

    Dal Makhani in a traditional Indian serving dish along with rice.

    Post updated with new pictures and some more tips & suggestions.

    Tips for making Dal Makhani

    The most important thing in perfecting the tastiest dal makhani is simmering it for a long time and preparing ahead of time. Yes, the best dal makhani is one which was prepared a day ahead or at least few hours before.

    Lentils | Dal - Dals used in making Dal makahani

    mimxture of urad dal, channa dal & rajma in a rustic background on a stoneware

    There are three kinds of dal used in this dish. The main ingredient is the whole Urad dal with skin. It is called Black lentils or Black gram in english. The other two dals  are Rajma ( red kidney beans) and channa dal (split bengal gram). They can be omitted if you don't have them. Soaking the dal overnight or at least 6 hours is also important. I know there are many shortcuts out there like pouring hot water or cooking for a longer time and reducing the soaking time etc...  I have tried all this method and felt something missing. Most of the times, the dal hardens after cooking. This was a major deal breaker for me. For now, I soak them overnight. Ill keep experimenting with these techniques and definitely keep you updated once I master a foolproof technique for speeding up the process. The point is the dal must be cooked well to achieve the creamy and velvety texture. 

    Simmering & resting - One of the important techniques to make a lip smacking dal makhani

    Yes, this is the most important part in perfecting the dal makhani. The more you simmer, the better it tastes. This helps the lentils absorb all the flavour and in achieving more creamier and smoother gravy. When you have the time, simmer it for a longer time.

    Also, let it rest for some time after cooking. This is a universal tip in cooking. The settling time gives everything that went in to amalgamate fully. This is kind of a universal rule. I follow this for many recipes and try to avoid serving anything right off the stovetop. You can prepare this ahead and reheat (warm it up) just before serving. This is the best make ahead recipe. You can store this in the refrigerator for about a week. Do not add cream or milk or diary products tif you are storing it for a week and this extends the shelf life. 

    • Butter & Cream

    As the name suggests, makhan means butter in hindi. So, the dal makhani recipe has a good amount of butter and cream. Both of which gives this dish, a velvety, creamy and smooth texture. Unlike other gravies (curries), this is a very mild dish. Other than garam masala, it has no extra spice powders.

    • Kasuri Methi

    This is the magic ingredient not only for this gravy but for most north Indian dishes. I cannot emphasize enough how much it elevates the flavour of the dish. Kasuri methi must be added only at the end of the cooking or after turning off the flame. 

    For everyday cooking of Dal Makhani

    The above mentioned tips can be used while making an elaborate meal on a weekend or when you have guests. You need to impress them, don't you ?

    Reduce the butter and omit cream. You can also add milk. Keep it simple. It doesn't mean that you are cutting back on the flavour but you are keeping it light and simple.

    Do you have slow cooker ? Then this recipe is perfect to be made in it. Simmering simmering is all this needs.

    5 from 4 votes
    Close up shot of the Dal makhani, rich and delicious lentil based dish.
    Print
    Dal Makhani
    Prep Time
    15 mins
    Cook Time
    1 hr
    Soaking time
    8 hrs
    Total Time
    1 hr 15 mins
     

    Punjabi Dal Makhani - A creamy and buttery gravy made of whole urad dal, rajma and channa dal. Slow cooked and simmered to get a delectable rich dish. Perfect to make ahead for weeknight dinner and a great crowd pleaser. 

    Course: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian, Punjabi
    Servings: 4 to 5 persons
    Author: Nisha
    Ingredients
    • ⅔ cup whole urad dal | whole black gram with skins
    • ⅓ cup red kidney beans | rajma
    • 2 tablespoons channa dhal | split bengal gram
    • ½ tablespoon oil
    • 3 tablespoons Butter, divided
    • 1 black cardamom
    • 1 inch cinnamon stick
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 2-3 cloves
    • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds | jeera
    • ½ cup finely chopped onions
    • 2 green chillies, slit lengthwise (the Indian variety)
    • 1.5 teaspoons red chilli powder (adjust if needed)
    • 2 teaspoons garam Masala
    • 2 tablespoons cream
    • ¼ teaspoon kasuri methi | dry fenugreek powder
    • Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnish
    To grind
    • 2 large-sized tomatoes, about 1 cup finely chopped
    • 1 medium-sized onion, roughly cubed
    • 1 green chillies
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
    Instructions
    1. Soak all three dal in water overnight. Rinse and drain the water. Pressure cook the dal by adding salt and water enough to cover the dal; cook for about 12-15 minutes on high flame. Cook until they are soft and almost mushy. 

      If you use the Indian pressure cooker, keep it on for about 8-10 whistles on med-high flame. 

    2. In a pan add 2 tablespoons of butter and ½ tablespoon of oil and keep the flame med-high. Once it is hot, add all the whole garam masala - cardamom, bay leaves, cloves and cinnamon stick. Once they start sizzling and plump; remove them from oil. (refer notes)

    3. Then add the cumin seeds and onion. Sauté until the onions become translucent. Add the chilli powder and turmeric powder. Fry them for a minute.

    4. Then add the ground tomato puree. Cover and cook until the raw smell goes off for about 10 -12  minutes. Remove the lid and cook until the oil separates and the masala is almost dried; another 10 minutes. 

    5. Then add the cooked dal and 1.5 cup water. Keep stirring and mash some of the lentils with the back of the ladle. This helps in thickening the gravy a bit. 

    6. Keep the flame low and simmer it for about 20 minutes. Keep stirring and mashing in between and add water as and when needed.

    7. As you keep stirring it becomes creamy and thick. Check for salt and adjust.

      Then, add the garam masala and ½ tablespoon butter; stir well. Simmer it for another 5 minutes. 

    8. Finally before switching off add the cream and kasuri methi. Crush the kasuri methi between the palm before adding. 

      Turn off the flame, garnish it with coriander leaves and serve it with naan or roti or rice.

    Recipe Notes
    1. The lentils must be well cooked and almost mashed. This is key in achieving a creamy texture. As different pressure cookers have different cooking time, adjust accordingly. If you cook the lentils on stovetop, it might take an hour.
    2. Remove the whole garam masala from oil as soon as they crack in oil. They are pungent if you bite them by mistake and spoils the entire taste of the dish. Hence it is good to remove them.
    3. The dish gets its richness and flavour from simmering it for a long time. The more you simmer it the more its taste. I usually simmer it for a minimum of 20-30 minutes. You can also keep it on the flame longer.
    4. As soon as you add cream and kasuri methi, remove from flame. Do not keep it for a longer time.

    View other "Gravies" recipes

    • Lauki channa dal
    • Punjabi Rajma Masala - Rajma Chawal
    • Punjabi Chole Masala | Channa Masala
    • Ghuguni chaat - Indian street food

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sonal says

      February 26, 2018 at 3:59 am

      beautifully explained with tips and tricks. i too add chana dal for dal makhani for that perfect texture.

      Reply
    2. Bhawana says

      February 25, 2018 at 6:43 pm

      dal makhani is looking perfect. Your write up about dal makhani is very well written.

      Reply
    3. Sharmila - The Happy Friend sPotpourri Corner says

      February 25, 2018 at 6:41 pm

      One of the ever green dishes looks beautiful...Nice clicks..

      Reply
    4. Nayna Kanabar says

      February 25, 2018 at 5:23 pm

      This dhal recipe looks so very rich and creamy, its evident that the slow cooking process is the trick here. Lovely captures of the dish too, I love the styling and your props very much.

      Reply
    5. Avin says

      February 25, 2018 at 2:57 pm

      You've made my day with this yummy daal makhani and those pics👍👍
      Punjabi people do love daal makhani. A small tip- add hing while boiling daal and it will make it easy to digest and less gassy after consumption.

      Reply
      • Nisha says

        February 25, 2018 at 4:55 pm

        Oh, thanks Avin. Yeah adding hing is a good option. 🙂 Will def try this next time.

        Reply
    6. Lathiya says

      February 25, 2018 at 3:40 am

      I never had Dal makhani..but I know I'm missing a delicious dish...looks divine

      Reply
    7. sapana says

      February 24, 2018 at 7:15 pm

      We Punjabis love our dal makhani and do cook it with lots of patience. The new pictures are gorgeous Nisha.s

      Reply
    8. Jagruti says

      February 24, 2018 at 5:25 pm

      We love authentic North Indian Daal makhni and I am happy that I can pull off same taste and texture every time, generally, I make Daal Makhni on Saturday so the whole family can enjoy together 🙂

      Reply
    9. Ritu Tangri says

      February 24, 2018 at 9:58 am

      Dal makhani with lacha paratha is always a hit. Simmering it on low heat for long time is the key to the creamy dal makhani. You dal makhani fulfils this condition and is absolutely perfect.

      Reply
    10. Nivedita says

      February 24, 2018 at 8:06 am

      Hi am drooling here. Love the makhani. Very informative post with useful tips. Will definitely try this. Thank you.

      Reply
    11. Seema Doraiswamy Sriram says

      February 24, 2018 at 4:34 am

      Upon opening fell in love with the ingredient shot.. a beautiful classic recipe that followed was mesmerising.

      Reply
    12. Nandita Gupta says

      February 23, 2018 at 6:27 pm

      Loved all the drool worthy pictures! I love dal makhani and it's my absolute favourite when it comes to North Indian Cuisine!

      Reply
    13. Ruchi says

      February 23, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      Love this daal. So true , slow cooking and butter are secret aspect after perfect creamy daal.. nicely explained. Lovely recipe

      Reply
    14. priya satheesh says

      February 23, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Absolutely delicious and such a comfort meal. I just love this with hot plain rice and pickle ! Heavenly !

      Reply
    15. Vidya Narayan says

      February 23, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      Dal Makhani though sounds such a simple recipe, can be made perfect and taste lipsmacking only if you follow certain set procedures and methods of cooking, as you have rightly mentioned. Simmering is the key actually with generous dose of butter that gives it a velvet kind of texture. The images made me absolutely hungry. Humble Dal which is adored by one and all and is extremely filling and healthy.

      Reply
    16. themadscientistskitchengmail says

      February 23, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      Nisha I agree with you totally. Letting the dish sit really brings out flavors. I love the presentation n the details in the post. For now dal makhani will take backseat in my place but when I make it will try this method.

      Reply
    17. Drashti Dholakia says

      February 23, 2018 at 1:56 am

      Dal Makhni is a favourite in our home and this one looks amazing. Will have to make it soon !

      Reply
    18. Mina A Joshi says

      February 23, 2018 at 12:31 am

      This looks so tempting . Whenever, I eat out at an Indian restaurant, I order Dall makhani as I really love the taste. Unfortunately, my home made dall doesn't have the same wow factor.

      Reply
    19. Neha Gandhi says

      February 21, 2018 at 5:54 pm

      Thanks for sharing the tips for making my favorite dal more tasty. There was always something lacking in may dal makhani. but now I will try it the way the recipe says.

      Reply
      • Nisha says

        February 22, 2018 at 9:07 am

        Thanks Neha. I hope it helps you 🙂

        Reply
    20. Srivalli says

      October 05, 2015 at 12:33 pm

      Your pictures are amazing Nisha!..feast to the eyes really..

      Reply
    21. Chef Mireille says

      August 10, 2015 at 3:44 pm

      oooh what a rich dal

      Reply
    22. vaishali sabnani says

      July 21, 2015 at 1:07 am

      This is one of my favourite daals and i can eat one extra roti with it. The daal is tempting me early morning.

      Reply
    23. Pavani N says

      July 20, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      Such a hearty, comforting and delicious dish.

      Reply
    24. Kalyani says

      July 20, 2015 at 2:55 am

      Yummmmm ... This is heaven ...

      Reply

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    She loves everything about food and their stories! You can find her mostly in the kitchen trying to whip up something or reading culinary anecdotes.

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