Dal makhani is a creamy lentil curry that is perfect for a cosy dinner at home. Comforting, flavourful, and hearty this dish is so satisfying.
There are many types of lentils out there. Dal is the Indian term for lentils and pulses and with so many variations out there, one can really be spoilt for choice.
I love dal. It is one of my all-time favourite curries to make and with so many variations out there, you’ll never get bored.
From masoor dal to rajma dal, you’ll definitely find one that you will like.
This recipe is really simple to follow. Although technically speaking the recipe takes more than 8 hours, the majority of that time is for soaking the lentils and beans.
I prefer to soak them overnight. This helps to soften the lentils and reduces the cooking time. If you don’t have any time to soak the lentils then to replace the soaking simply add the lentils to a pot of boiling water.
Let them boil for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat and let them sit for an hour. Drain the water and rinse the lentils before using them in the recipe.
For all dal recipes, it is always best to use ghee as opposed to butter and oil. With chicken curries and lamb curries, often the meat releases a lot of favour which adds that extra oomph.
However, as there is no meat in this curry, it is best to use curry. That is not to say it won’t be great with oil or butter, but there will be a minor difference in taste.
Ghee helps to add a rich, nutty flavour to the dal makhani, but you can replace it if you want.
I like to double cream for an extra creamy and rich curry. You can replace this with coconut milk or oat milk to keep it suitable for vegans and the ghee can be replaced with oil.
Although once the lentils have been added, they only need to be simmered for 20 minutes, for the best flavour and texture, it is better to slow cook the curry.
This allows the flavours to develop and the lentils and beans to become very tender and simply melt in your mouth with each bite.
Once the curry is ready, chop some fresh coriander over the top and you are ready to serve. Serve with some warm chapattis or rice and dinner is sorted!
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Hi, I’m Nabeela and I love to cook! I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family-friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.
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