Dal Nirvana (creamy lentils) | Creamy Lentils Made Indian Style

Dal Nirvana is almost like the famous Dal Makhani but the only difference is you use brown lentils for this dish unlike the dal makhani which has a mix of other dry lentils.

This dish is very comforting and tastes best with steamed rice in my opinion. 

Are you thinking what about naan? Yes of course you may serve this with naan or parathas too. Adding fresh garlic and finishing this dish with a tiny dollop of butter is a must and if you skip these two i cannot promise you best results.

In my house this is served on a cold winter day with rice and grilled kebabs, this combo is a true match and incase you want to make this meal a bit more elaborate make some garlic naan to go and serve with carrot halwa or kheer to complete the meal. 

For creamy Dal Nirvana
1 cup brown lentils
1/2 cup grated onions
1/2 cup tomato puree (make it fresh please)
1 table spoon crushed garlic
small piece ginger grated
1/2 tsp sugar
2 table spoon cream
1 tea spoon cumin seeds
2 whole dry red chili
1 table spoon butter + 1/2 tsp olive oil
chopped coriander for garnish
salt to taste

Spices
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp garam masala

Start by boiling or pressure cooking the lentils till soft, make sure they do not turn mushy.
Boil the lentils along with salt and turmeric powder.

In a pot add in a little olive oil and  add in 1 tbs of the crushed garlic and keep the other half for later, sauté the garlic till fragrent. Add in the ginger,onions cumin powder and the red chili powder.

Cook on low heat adding salt to cook the onions faster, once the onions are cooked add the tomato puree along with the sugar, cook this till the raw flavor of the tomato goes and everything is cooked.

Now add the boiled lentils to the onion and tomato mix and allow to boil, if the water is less add a tiny bit, this dish is thick so adding too much water ruins the texture of the dish.

Cook on low and allow the lentils to gently boil, after 5 min add the cream.
Check for salt and adjust accordingly.
Only cook for 2 min once the cream is added.

Last is the tempering, add olive oil and butter in a pan and add the whole cumin seeds, the garam masala, the remaining crushed garlic and the dry red chili, sauté for a min and add it to the lentils.
Garnish with coriander leaves and now your done.

Do try it out guys, it's really easy and delecious.

Jackfruit Seed Dal with Drumstick

For the first time I saw jackfruit seeds at a local super market and I was thrilled, couldn't wait to get home to make this amazing coconut based dal adding the jackfruit seeds, using drumsticks for this dal is up to your liking but I insist you must as it goes together beautifully.

Please temper the dal only in ghee or else it is not worth the effort guys.

There are plenty of different ways you can prepare this dal, today I am showing you a less spicy version for jackfruit seed dal.

 

 For those who do not know much about cooking with jackfruit seeds this can be a start. Do give it a try, it tastes wonderful.

 

 

1 cup cooked moong dal (add turmeric while cooking )

 

Few jackfruit seeds add more or less to your liking

(peel the skin and cut in half, pressure cook for 1 whistle or boil adding turmeric and salt)

 

Drumstick boiled with salt and turmeric

 

1 tbs coconut powder

 

Salt to taste

 

Tempering

1 tsp mustard seeds

 

1/2 tsp cumin

 

a pinch of fennel seed powder for aroma

 

few curry leaf

 

hing

 

ginger , green chili and garlic crushed (add to taste)

 

                                     
While boiling the jackfruit seeds make sure they retain their shape and not get mushy, in the same pan add the drumstick too, the drumstick also needs to retain their shape so do not overcook it.

 

Add the cooked dal and boil, adjust the water and add salt, then add in the coconut powder diluted in some water. Cover and cook for 2 min.

 

 

Now for the tempering add ghee to a pan and add the mustard seeds followed by the rest of the tempering ingredients.

Check for salt and adjust to taste. Now your done !

Serve this wonderful jackfruit seed dal with fish fry on the side and enjoy.

Padwal / Parwal Dal | Snakegourd and Lentils

Snake gourd / padwal dal is a yummy dish best eaten with rice topped with some ghee.

Usually snake gourd is not eaten in most homes the reason being many cooks think this vegetable is not so tasty, but if you ask me there are some wonderful snake gourd recipes which are so simple to make and they taste wonderful. 

If you have never tasted padwal /parwal before try making this dish, I'm sure you will love it.

 

 you need

1 medium size snake gourd (chopped)
1 tomato chopped
2 tbs ginger and garlic crushed
1 green chili chopped fine
2 dried red chili
4/6 curry leaf
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp hing
1/2 a lemon squeezed
coriander leaves to garnish in the end
1/2 cup masoor dal (split orange lentil)

lets start cooking !
Pressure cook the lentils with the chopped snake gourd,tomato,green chili ,salt and turmeric for 2 whistles. Wait for the pressure to come down.

Now take ghee or oil in a small pan and temper with mustard seeds, hing, curry leaf, red chili and the crushed ginger garlic. Sauté for 2 min and then pour over the cooked dal.

Add some lemon juice and coriander leaves in the end and now your done !

Serve with rice and ghee along with any spicy side dish of your choice !

 

Sweet and Sour Dal with Peanuts ( Khatti Meeti Dal) | Peanut Dal Lentil

Sweet and Sour Dal is a dish prepared in most Indian homes,and there are tons of recipes for this.

Usually the sourness is achieved by adding tamarind,but i add lemon and that brings out a very zesty and fresh taste along with the sweetness from the jaggery.

Oo and how can we forget the peanuts,this what gives it a nutty taste.

I suggest having just this Dal with Ghee rice and some Spiced buttermilk to wash it all down.Yum !

Do try it,you'll love it.

We need

Tuvar Dal 1/2 cup

Turmeric 1 tsp

To Temper in Ghee

Mustard seeds 1 tsp

Cumin 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek seeds less than 1/2 tsp

Green chili 2

Curry leaf 4/6

Whole red chili 2

Hing 1/2 tsp

Peanuts a handful or less (skinless)

Juice of 1 Lemon

Jaggery grated 3 tsp

Pressure cook the Dal with turmeric,salt and peanuts,do not make it very watery at this stage.

Once the Dal is done,temper with the above spices.

Boil it adding more water if the Dal gets thick,the flavours get better if it is boiled for long with the tempering.

Then add jaggery and allow to tastes to develop.

Just before serving add lemon juice.

Stir it well and your done.



Homemade Langar Wali Dal | Punjabi Maa Dal (Dal Makhni) | Langar ki Dal

There are many names for the King of Dal's.

One is the ever famous Dal Makhni

Langar Ki Dal

Maa Di Dal (mother of all Dal's)

Dal Bukhara

Dal Maharani and Kali Dal.

The taste for all these Daals are almost the same,only difference would be,the proportion of the Kidney Beans and The Black Urad Daal also the amount of time you cook it.

It also depends on how you serve it,sometimes there is a dollop of white butter on top or cream,sometimes ginger juliennes.The base and method of cooking also stays the same for all these daals.

I feel the creamy and luscious taste of this daal is enhanced more if eaten with butter tandoori rotis.

I know you want some now.

Here's the Recipe for Best Restaurant Style Dal Makhni or Langarwali Dal.

If you want to get the most authentic taste,then you need to cook this for 4 hours max,yes 4 hours.

In most homes it is cooked for 8 to 10 hours,many time even overnight.Imagine the taste,ooo my god.

Now if you do no have the time,sure you can reduce the cooking time,but then i cannot promise you that killer king of dal taste.So the choice is yours. 

I cooked mine for 4 1/2 hours.And i used a thick bottom pressure cooker for this.

 ~ First start by soaking 1 cup Black Gram Dal and 1/4 cup Kidney beans overnight for best results.

  ~ Now strain the water and cook with 4 glasses fresh water,simmer and cook on low till soft.
It will take about  45 min to 1 hour.Keep checking and stirring in between.

~ Add 1/2 cup ginger and garlic paste.
Keep simmering,and add the spices and cook till everything is blended.

For the spices, adjust the red chili powder to your taste
Turmeric 1 tsp
Coriander 3 tsp
Red chili 5 tsp

~Now it is time to add 1 cup tomato puree with salt to taste and 1 pinch sugar.

Let it simmer for 30 min.

~Add 1/2 cup butter and 3 tsp toasted Kasuri Methi
with 2tsp Garam Masala.

Let everything cook on low for another half hour.
Please be patient,it will be totally worth it in the end.

OK now the final step add 1/2 cup cream and simmer for 10/20 min.

Now your done.Serve with Naan or Tandoori Roti.
T.i.p - Never add coriander leaves to garnish.It ruins the taste of this dish.


I know you will give this one a try.

Lal Mooli Dal | Red Radish and Lentils Gravy | Mooli Dal

Red radish and lentils together is a healthy option to a plain lentil dish.
With the red radish you get a unique flavour and also the colour of the radish with the yellow lentil is just amazing,my camera was acting odd so i couldn't get the best pic for you.

Do try out this simple Lentil (dal) with red radish.


Perfect with steamed rice



chop green chili ,onions and red radish

pressure cook moong daal with turmeric and grated ginger

in a pan add ghee,mustard seeds,cumin,hing,green chili.whole red chili and onion
saute 1 min then add1 tsp red chili and coriander pwd...cook and then add the radish
saute the radish for 5 min adding salt.. now add in the cooked daal...wait for a boil
and add 1 tsp jaggery and tamarind pulp...



finally add groundnuts and boil another 5 min..the daal must have a sweet and sour taste
now your done !!

 Another tasty dish with Lal Mooli (Red Radish) and Lentil (Dal)

Original Gujarati Kadhi Recipe | Authentic Gujarati Kadhi

I have been making kadhi from as long as i can remember and its only a few years back i got hold of this awsome recipe..After i made it the taste was exactly like kadhi from a gujarati thali restaurant and i always stuck to this recipe ever since.I call this the Original Gujarati Kadhi recipe.

Try it today your gona love it !
P.S- plz do not skip the whole spices as that is what gives this dish a wonderful aroma and taste !


super yum

  take 2 glasses buttermilk and to that add 3 tbs besan and blend well...
now transfer this to a pan( strain the mix) keep the heat low and cook 2/3 min-dont forget to stir..

it needs to be a smooth liquid
to this add 3 tbs sugar and 1 tbs salt-its important to keep the sweet more as it balances the flavour
and all kadhis are a bit sweet...

 after about 5/7 min of boiling its time to temper....

for the tempering use only ghee,to the heated ghee add mustard seeds,cumin seeds,fenugreek seeds and hing
to that add cloves,pepper corn and cardamom..then saute grated ginger-curry leaf and green chili...
saute for 1 min on low and pour on the boiling kadhi



cook for 10 min on low heat,and stir in between..by doing this you get maximum flavour so
dont skip the 10 min heating step...

 Your Gujarati Kadhi is now ready,serve hot with rotli and rice.

Kali Masoor Dal Recipe | Black Lentil Soup made Indian Style

Kali Masoor Dal is a very famous Dal / Lentil made in most Indian Homes.

There are many recipes for this dish,but this is how we make it in my house.

Do give it a try.

boil the black masoor daal with salt and turmeric in a pressure cooker

for the tempering
cumin 1 tsp
chaat masala 1/2 tsp
garam masala 1/2 tsp
garlic julienne ~ginger julienne
tomato cut fine
1/2 onion

make tempering in ghee or butter for best results,then pour over the daal ! garnish with corrianger leaves and your done !

Spicy Kerala Daal (Parippu Curry) | Spicy Kerala Daal | Thrissur Parippu Curry (Dal)

Usually the daal made in most parts of kerala is very mild and is a must in the Onam Sadya.

But this is the Spicy version of the Kerala Daal which has crushed red chili that brings out a unique flavour !
Do try and let me know your comments !


err bad pic?



pressure cook tur daal with turmeric,salt and ginger till soft

for the tempering~crush  till a coarse paste is formed
few garlic cloves
pearl onions
cumin
red chili pwd
crushed red chili

in ghee add mustard seeds ,curry leaf and hing
then add the crushed paste,saute till light brown

add the tempering to the cooked daal and mix,cover for 10 min..
Serve hot with steamed rice and ghee

Lasooni / Garlic Dal | Garlic flavoured Lentil Soup | Chicken Cube Dal Curry

This is a very Hearty daal recipe,and the flavour is outstanding.
The tempering of this dish is what makes it totally scrumptious.

And by any chance are you a parent who's child hates dal / lentils?
Read on for a solution to your problem.


looks ok?




the highlight 'whole garlic'



i have used 2 types of lentils
half cup masoor daal
half cup tur daal,wash and soak for 20 min

~spices 1~

green chili
cumin seeds
1/2 tsp chaat masala
chicken cube (optional)
hing

special tempering
garlic cut in half ' make sure to not cut it fine
pinch of red chili,salt and pepper~marinate all this with the garlic for 15 min

in a pressure cooker,add ghee and the spices 1 along with the lentils

after the daal is cooked,temper the marinated garlic in ghee and pour on top of the daal, cover for 10 min before serving .
Lasooni Daal is ready now.

This is a very Special Dal Recipe which has the most unique flavour with the chicken cube and the special garlic tempering.It is a must try dish.

Your Family will love it,i promise you that.

Palak Daal / Dal | Spinach in Lentil Soup | Palak wali Dal

Hearty and Healthy is how this daal turns out to be,and so comforting..It goes best with steamed rice along with loads of ghee on top !
   Eat in a bowl ~No plates allowed...


very healthy for you




boil daal with turmeric and hing



in a pressure cooker
add ghee then saute 4/5 garlic cloves
also cumin seeds &green chili




when the garlic changes colour,add spinach,chop it roughly



add the cooked daal and salt
cook covered for 10/15 min



add some garam masala (optional) for aroma



Drumstick Daal with Coconut Powder | Kerala Drumstick Daal / Dal

My mama makes the best drumstick daal and i dont think any one can even come close to her flavour..
  I eat this and only think of my mama....here goes the recipe




Daal with drumstick

 

you need
masoor daal half cup (boiled with turmeric n red chilli)
2 green chilli
onion 1/2
garlic 2 pods chopped
curry leaf 3/5
drumstick cut
ginger crushed 1/2 tsp

spices- red chilli pwd 1 tsp,turmeric 1 tsp n mustard seeds 1 tsp
Coconut pwd 2 tsp



in a sauce pan boil drumstick with red chili n turmeric and salt





boil it till the drum stick is cooked 80 %

 

add in the masoor daal

add in half cup water and boil

coconut powder goes next

let the mix boil for 5/7 min




for the tempering- in oil add garlic,ginger,green chilli,mustard seeds ,curr leaf and hing

 

add onion after a min or two

let it brown,the brown onion gives the daal a great flavour

pour the tempering over the daal

there you go,drumstick daal is done...easy right !