Truly a divine preparation, Dal Makhani is a beacon of culinary excellence in India and a must-try Punjabi delicacy. Rich, creamy, and slow-cooked black lentil simmered in a tomato-based sauce for hours, this indulgent preparation is the epitome of Indian comfort food. And I also find that the entire process of cooking is also kind of therapeutic to me. Watching different ingredients coming together to make this one robust dish laced with just the right amount of smokiness and flavor.
Traditionally, this instant crowd-pleasing dish is a labor of love, slow-cooked for hours on hot coals, usually overnight till the dal breaks down on its own to a buttery, creamy consistency. But in this busy urban life, nobody's got that kind of time. We have to get to work, do household chores, run numerous errands, and manage to catch up on our favorite shows/movies. So, in the spirit of NOT sacrificing your Netflix binge time, here is an easier version of our tried and tested dal makhani recipe which will give you the same flavors and consistency but in less than half the time. Along with that, we have also given a super simple quick tip to add a little Dhaba style smokiness to your Dal Makhani that will come in really handy the next time you decide to show off your culinary skills.
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Smoking Dal Makhani:
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Ans. A mix of Urad Dal (whole Black Gram Lentils) & Rajma (Kidney Beans) are used to make Dal Makhani.
Ans. Dhaba-style Dal Makhani usually has a distinct smokiness to it and you can easily recreate it at home by following the Smoking Dal Makhani Tip given above.
Ans. The traditional recipe uses a ton of butter and ghee which also lends it the creaminess. If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you can substitute ghee, butter, and cream with cashew and coconut milk. Use 1/4 cup cashew cream while simmering the dal, and 1/4 cup coconut milk in the end. The coconut milk might add a coconut-ty flavor, but the quantity is so small that you’ll barely notice it.
Gargi Bisht is an event copywriter/conceptualizer turned writer currently working with EazyDiner Pvt. Ltd. Compulsive eater, book hoarder, dog lover and pop culture enthusiast with an innate love for storytelling. Usually the quietest person in the room, Gargi is an introvert who loves her own company. When not eating, can be found in front of her laptop watching movies. Knows a thing or two about art and literature.