Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Neetu's Daal

Before I went to India and moved to the new apartment, my afternoons were always full. Our group of 5 would meet everyday for lunch and pool whatever we had and enjoy  the meal,  on one such afternoon , Neetu, my friend and then my neighbor, made this delicious and creamy daal. Hearty and full of rich protein, it pairs well with jeera- rice (cumin scented rice) and even with Indian breads. 
I had to have the recipe. every mouthful was full of flavor and kept me asking for more. Neetu gave me the recipe and warned me, she cooks with 'andaaz'( eyeballs ingredients) and just does not like using tsps. and tbsps.! Not willing to give up, I badgered her into giving me the closest measurements and the resultant daal is just as delicious, creamy and hearty. 



1 cup Black Whole Urad Daal 
1/2 Cup  Rajma / Kidney Beans
1 inch Ginger
3 cloves Garlic
2-3 Green chilies
1/2 tsp. Kasuri Methi
1 tsp Cumin
1 stick  (1 inch) Cinnamon
2-3 Cloves
Pinch Aafetida
2-3 Roma Tomatoes
1/2 tsp. Red chilli powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Butter
1 tsp Amchur powder
1/2 Onion , finely chopped
2tbs Cilantro, finely chopped to garnish

Wash and soak the  urad daal and rajma in water for  at least 2 hours 
Throw the water ( in which the lentils/ daal  and rajma was soaked)  and in a saucepan, add water, daal - rajma and turmeric and green chiles and boil until  the daal is soft

Crush the cinnamon and cloves using a mortar- pestle or zap it in the coffee mill
Heat oil, add cumin,after it sizzles, add asafetida, cinnamon-clove powder, ginger- garlic and sauté, then add onion and cook until translucent, add tomato, red chilli powder, garam masala, amchur powder, kasuri methi
 Pour this seasoning over the cooked and softened  lentil-bean mixture
Simmer for about 10 mins and let the flavors mingle
Before serving add a pat of butter and garnish with chopped Cilantro
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15 comments:

Daisy Roshan said...

the dal preparation is full of flavors ....looks yummy and delicious....

Anonymous said...

Hey, I'm here the first time. Cudn't resist replying as I made a very same dal tonight & we call it "dal makhani". Agreed, every mouthful of this dal is scrumptious. It's a great coincidence that Manasi spoke bat it the same day....
Gud wishes,
Meeta

Prathima Rao said...

A real feast for this festive season!!

Ms.Chitchat said...

Hey,loved browsing ur space. You have a good collection of interesting recipes. Glad to follow u :):)

Chitchat

Finla said...

Wowo wish i had a bunch of friends were i could meet up every noon.
Rakma looks really good, so now in the new place do you have new bunch of friends to meet up with.

Unknown said...

I had seen a similar dal in Sanjeev Kapoor show, But he added the red chilli powder and salt alongwith the dal and water to boil... will try this on Sunday.. when I Break my Navratri Fast...Thanks for such a yummy rec..Happy Dasera to you and Fly!!!

Manasi said...

Thank U Roshan!

Thank U Meeta, yes it can be called daal makhani , but Neetu calls it Maa- Rajma daal.

Thank U Prathima.

Ms. Chitchat, thank u so much:)

Thank U HC, yep new place , smaller group , but the feasting continues:)

Ash, I believe that can be done, this is such a flexible recipe and a forgiving one as well. Let me know how u like it.

Unknown said...

The dhall looks yummy and healthy...

Dr.Sameena@

www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

Food TV said...

Hey, Very nice collection of the recipe. This is really nice post you share with us. But I would love to eat Dal Farai and kadi chaval. Thanks for sharing....

Thank U Prathima.

aipi said...

give me this any single day and i can have it without complaining :)

US Masala

Prathima Rao said...

I have an ward waiting for u in my blog...Do drop in to collect it... :)

Cynthia said...

So creamy and comforting.

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...

This sounds delicious! I can't wait to try it!

Great blog!

Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls

vandana rajesh said...

The dal looks amazing...have to try it soon...bookmarked!!

Unknown said...

looks delicious

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