Dal Makhni

No..No.. i am not back yet.  I was feeling sick that i missed Sailu’s JFI -Dal event. Yesterday, i just happen to pass through her blog, found that event is still waiting for the round up. Anyway, i know i am too  late, but i did it!!

Life has been little hectic and more chaotic :)…yes..guessed it right, it would have been better if it was really hectic and less chaotic… i dont know i am not seems to be systematic any more. Kitchen is all packed and set to move this week end (i.e Friday,). Somehow was feeling odd to cut a sorry figure to Sailaja for not participating in the event. Then, I just remembered long forgotten whole black gram still in my store, and went to a neighbour with a cup to get some Rajma(kidney beans).

Dal Makni in my kitchen was a disastrous project couple of years back with a potful of brown water and dive through to find some black dal at the bottom. The imporved rather a tasty(ofcourse, when i add two tablespoon of butter!) version of Dal Makhni, am contributing to Sailu’s JFI - Dal/Lentils.

Soak overnight

Whole Black gram(whole urad dal)         1 cup

Kidney beans      1/2 cup

Boil soaked beans mixture with 3-4 cups of water along with

Turmeric 1/4 tsp

chilli powder 1/2 tsp

till the beans becomes broken and mashy.

Grind

Onion 1/2 of medium size cut into chunks

ginger 2″

Garlic(Indian) 1/2 bulb

Splutter

Cumin seeds  1/2 tsp in oil 2 tbsp in a sauce pan.

Fry

Onion  1  medium finely chopped and ground ginger-onion-garlic paste till transparent. 

Toss in

ripe tomato 1 medium chopped and 4-5 slit green chillies, and fry till the oil separates.

Sprinkle

Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp (preferably Kashmiri, if so 1tsp)

Coriander powder 1tsp

cumin powder 1/2 tsp

Fry the mixture for 5 minutes.

Pour in cooked dal mixture into the saucepan. Allow it to boil for 10 mins.

Stir in 3 tbsp of Butter, (those weight watchers, pls… cant help, its Dal makhni!!), 2tbsp Kissan Tomato puree(taste enhancer), Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp, Salt to taste.

Garnish with 2tbsp finely chopped fresh Cliantro and 1/2 finely chopped onion.

Pantry notes: Kissan Tomato puree, gives that rich taste to the curry. You can omit this if you are adding fresh puree of 2 small tomatoes and have to fry in the beginning along with chopped tomatoes after frying  onions.