Dal Makhani with Crispy Tadka
Add a separate tadka (tempering) of whole spices and dried chiles fried in ghee, poured at the table. Drama and flavor.
For those who think the original isn't spicy enough. Green chilies in the tempering plus extra kashmiri chili. Not for the faint-hearted.
Dal
Makhani Gravy
Drain soaked lentils and kidney beans. Pressure cook (or simmer in a pot) with 1.5L water and salt for 45-60 minutes until very soft. The beans should be mashable between your fingers.
Do not discard the cooking liquid — it becomes part of the dal.
Melt butter in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add onions with a pinch of salt. Cook 20-25 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden and jammy.
Add garlic and ginger, cook 3 minutes.
Add all spices, cook 1 minute in the fat.
Add tomato puree. Cook down until the oil separates from the gravy, about 15 minutes — this bhunao (cooking down) stage is crucial.
Add cooked lentils with their liquid to the gravy. Stir to combine. The consistency should be thick and porridge-like.
Simmer on the lowest possible heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer, the better. Restaurant dal makhani cooks overnight.
Finish with cream and crushed kasuri methi. Simmer 5 more minutes.
Serve with naan or rice. Top with a knob of butter.
Add a separate tadka (tempering) of whole spices and dried chiles fried in ghee, poured at the table. Drama and flavor.
The crown jewel of Punjabi cooking. Black lentils slow-cooked overnight with butter, cream, and tomatoes. Do not rush this.
Coconut cream replaces the heavy cream, vegan butter for the tadka. Casein-free. The lentils are the star anyway.
Swap chicken for homemade paneer. Better charring on the tikka, richer sauce that absorbs into the cheese.