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  3. Dal Makhani / Creamy Black Lentils (but) No-Cream Recipe

Dal Makhani / Creamy Black Lentils (but) No-Cream Recipe

Updated: Dec 1, 2015 · Published: Jul 14, 2010 by nags · This post may contain affiliate links · 32 Comments

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I have posted my original dal makhani recipe before. The problem with that recipe was, it lacked colour although the flavour was just fine. Also, that recipe has cream in it. Why use cream when you can get lovely, creamy Dal Makhani without the cream. I've been 'hooked' to this Dal Makhani recipe since coming across the recipe in Hooked on Heat.

Dal Makhani IIPin

Admittedly, dal makhani is not my favourite Indian dal recipe and I tend to lean towards the simple dal tadka, methi dal, or the fabulous panchratan dal when eating out, but since this creamy dal dish is so popular, I make it now and then, especially when we have guests and I need a good side dish for my tawa naan recipe.

Dal Makhani Recipe
Serves 2


Ingredients:

½ cup whole black lentils / whole urad dal
1 onion, minced
1 tomato, finely chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 tablespoon tomato paste (or 1 large tomato, pureed)
2 tablespoon milk
½ teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon oil
fresh coriander leaves, for garnish
water, 1 to 2 cups
salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a pressure cooker and saute onions till lightly browned. Stir in salt, chilli powder, coriander powder, ginger-garlic paste, and tomato paste and fry for a few seconds.

2. Add in the chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes to combine well. Add dal and enough water to cover them (about 2 cups). Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles minutes till lentils are soft and done. Stir in milk and let it come to a boil.

3. In a separate pan, heat butter and add whole garlic cloves slit in the middle. Stir the tempering into the lentils and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Serve with warm rotis or a simple pressure cooker vegetable pulao.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    October 07, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Hi Nags....I love Dal Makhani but has not made it...Just have a doubt..The dal used is whole urad dal..same as we used to make dosa batter??...It is white in colour....Then how come the dish is black???I knpw it is a stupid question But pls waiting for ur reply I can't wait to make it...that too without cream

    Reply
    • Nagalakshmi V

      October 08, 2012 at 2:31 am

      yes it's the same urad dal we use for dosa and idli batter but with the skin which is black. that's why the dal makhani is black.

      Reply
  2. Anonymous

    September 27, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Hi Nags.. I tried this recipe for my son's b'day and it turned out great.. it was just like they serve in the resatuarants here in North India..my hubby loved it (its a big thing thing coming from him since he doesnot like dal makhani at all).. Thanks for thsi amazing recipe..!!

    Sonakshi

    Reply
  3. Nagalakshmi V

    January 06, 2012 at 12:46 am

    You can soak them for a few hours, I usually don't 🙂

    Reply
  4. Amchi

    January 05, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Enticing! Naags..could u pls tell me if you need to soak the dal overnight?

    Reply
  5. howtoskinnyacat @ blogspot

    July 31, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    MY FAVORITE!!!! Thank you for this recipe- I will be making this today for sure! Indian food is my all time favorite and don't ya know I just moved to a littel town with ZERO indian food restaraunts! Your recipe index will be my go to now! THANK YOU!

    Reply
  6. anjali

    February 26, 2011 at 4:04 am

    This tastes fantastic and easy to make, even for a non-cook like me.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous

    February 01, 2011 at 1:19 am

    Hi Nags,

    Just tried this recipe and its lip smacking good. Love your site. Keep them coming...you go girl!

    Meera

    Reply
  8. Nags

    February 01, 2011 at 1:21 am

    thank you so much for trying out my dal makhani recipe and leaving your comments 🙂

    Reply
  9. Anonymous

    September 30, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    VERY NICE DISH....

    Reply
  10. Elegant Chic

    July 18, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Naaiice! 🙂

    Reply
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