Black lentils in a buttery, creamy sauce with a hint of spice.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 3 hourshours
Soaking Time 8 hourshours
Total Time 11 hourshours10 minutesminutes
Servings 8
Calories 166kcal
Equipment
Pressure Cooker, Kadai Pan
Ingredients
Soak Over Night
1cupBlack lentils
1/4cupRed kidney beans
4 cupsWater for the pressure cooker
Gravy
1tbsp ButterUse oil for vegan
1tbspGheeUse oil for vegan
1tbspGinger pasteOr fresh grated
1cupTomato pureeOr five fresh chopped tomtoes
1tspKashmiri red chili powder
1tspGaram masala
2cupsWater
1tbspButterOmit for vegan, or use vegan butter
1tspKasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)Rubbed to release fragrance
1/4cupHeavy creamCoconut cream, or vegan substitute of your choice.
Instructions
Prepare the lentils and beans
Wash and pick clean the black lentils and kidney beans. Cover with water and set aside to soak at least 8 hours or overnight. The older the beans, the longer you'll need to soak them.
After the lentils and beans have soaked, drain them and add to a pressure cooker and cover with 4 cups of water. Cook on medium heat for 8 whitsles. Remove, from the heat and allow to cool a bit so you can open the pressure cooker. While waiting for the beans to cool, you can prepare the Makhani gravy.
Prepare the gravy
Heat the butter and ghee in a large kadai pan. Add the ginger paste and stir to cook for a few seconds. Then add the tomato paste, stirring to mix. Finally, add the spices - chili powder and garam masala and cook for a few mintues.
When the pressure cooker is opened, mash the beans and lentils a bit with a potato masher or fork. The should mash easily. They need to be very soft for this dish.
Add the semi-mash beans and lentils to the tomato gravy mixture and cook on very low heat for about 2 - 2.5 hours. The longer the more flavoraful. Keep stirring occasionaly and checking to see that it doesn't burn on the bottom. Add 1/2 cups of water at a time to keep the consitency good and keep the dal from sticking and burnig on the bottom. You may even want to cover the kadai pan for part of the cooking process.
Remove from heat; add the heavy cream, more butter and rubbed kasoori methi. Stir to mix and serve.