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

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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 II

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:

1/2 cup whole black lentils / whole urad dal
1 onion, minced
1 tomato, finely chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp tomato paste (or 1 large tomato, pureed)
2 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp 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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  1. Hi Nags,γ€€Thank you for your lovely recipes. I made this dish today and at the end of cooking process, I added a pinch of kitchen king. (It is north Indian spice mix, right?) It should taste great without cream. agreed!!

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  2. 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

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  3. 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

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  6. 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!

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  9. Hi Nags,

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

    Meera

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  24. I m fond of dhal makhani…but had made it only once but the click was not decent so didnt postit…I've seen ur old version too…but this one looks perfect creamy n rich!

    Reply

  27. wow! it looks so good!Healthy dish and i love it!
    Visit my blog while you find time and join with us in the event EFM – Sweet and Savories for Diwali Series!

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