Creamed Urad Daal Recipes

Steps:

• Wash the dhal in at least three changes of cold water until the water runs clear. Put the rinsed dhal in a large bowl with plenty of cold water, cover and leave to soak at room temperature for 12-24 hrs.
• Drain and rinse the dhal, then tip into a large saucepan. Cover with 2 litres of cold water and bring to the boil, skimming any foam from the top. Turn down the heat, half-cover and gently simmer for 2½-3 hrs. If the water level starts to drop below the top of the dhal, add a splash more boiling water. Once cooked, the dhal should be completely soft and start breaking down into the liquid. If the liquid is still thin, simmer for an extra few mins and mash the dhal lightly to help thicken.
• Heat the oil in a small frying pan. Add the garlic and ginger and fry gently for 1-2 mins to soften but not brown. Add the ground coriander, chilli powder, turmeric and tomato purée with a large splash of water. Cook for 1-2 mins, then scrape into the pan of dhal and gently heat through.
• Add extra water if needed to make the dhal looser and creamy. Sprinkle over the garam masala and remove from the heat. Serve in bowls with rice topped with a swirl of coconut yogurt, a scattering of coriander and some lime wedges on the side for squeezing over.

Steps:

• Soak daal in 4 cups water for 1 hour.
• Drain and rinse daal.
• Bring daal, salt and 4 cups water to boil, lower heat and simmer 45 minutes till daal feels soft when pressed between finger tips. Strain daal and place back in cooking pot and reserve the liquid.
• In fry pan heat 3 Tbsp oil put in the cumin till the crakkling stops, add chopped onion and fry till golden, add the ginger and fry for 15 seconds. Pour into daal and add 1 1/4 cups reserved liquid and simmer for 10 minutes stirring gently to prevent sticking to bottom of pan. Taste for salt and more if not enough.
• Add the cream and allow to simmer for 2 minutes till heated through. Stir gently as you simmer cream.
• Can be eaten with chippattis (pita bread), naan, or rice and sliced tomatoes and onions sprinkled with salt and vinager.

Steps:

• Soak the beans in cold water for 4 hrs (or overnight, if you like).
• Melt the butter or ghee in a large pan, then add the onions, garlic and ginger, and cook slowly for 10-15 mins until the onions are starting to caramelise. Stir in the spices, coriander stalks and 100ml water. Pour into the slow cooker (or leave in the pan if cooking on the hob). Add the passata and whole red chilli. Drain the beans and add these too, then top up with 400ml water. Season well, set the slow cooker to Low and cook for 5-6 hrs (or cover and cook for 2 hrs over a very low heat on the hob).
• Once cooked, the dhal should be very thick and the beans tender. Stir in the cream, check the seasoning and serve in bowls with naan bread, rice or in a jacket potato, with your choice of toppings. To freeze the dhal, cool completely, then divide into containers or sandwich bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, defrost and heat thoroughly before eating.

Steps:

• Soak whole black urad and rajma overnight in 3-4 cups of water.
• Cook the soaked dal and rajma in the same water with salt, red chili powder and half the chopped ginger till dal and rajma are cooked and soft.
• Peel and chop the onion, ginger and garlic finely. Also chop the tomatoes.
• Heat oil and butter in a thick-bottomed pan. Add cumin seeds, when it crackles add chopped onions and fry till golden brown.
• Add chopped ginger, garlic and chopped tomatoes. Sauté till tomatoes are well mashed and fat starts to leave the masala. Add boiled dal and rajma to this.Do not add the liquid at first.Crush(mash) the dals with the back of the ladle while stirring continuously, this gives that creamy texture to the dal .
• Add the liquid and some water if required and simmer on very low heat for fifteen minutes.
• Add fresh cream and garam masala powder let it simmer for another five minutes. Finish off with a couple of pinch of Kasoori methi powdered.
• Serve hot with Naan or Paraatha.
• Tip: Replacing the tomatoes with 4 tablespoons of thick tomato paste will enhance the taste and colour of the dish manifold.

Steps:

• Combine black lentils and red kidney beans in a pot. Cover with water; let soak, 8 hours to overnight.
• Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder to the beans. Boil until soft but not pasty, about 30 minutes.
• Heat butter and oil in a separate pot. Add cumin, cloves, and bay leaves; cook until sputtering, about 1 minute. Add onion, green chili, and remaining salt and ginger; fry until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomato and garlic; cook until tomato is soft, about 5 minutes. Add coriander, turmeric, and remaining chili powder; fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add beans and lemon juice to the spice mixture; mix gently. Add garam masala. Simmer dal over low heat for 15 minutes. Add cream and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes.