Simple Gluten Free Kitchen

Daal Makhani in Slow Cooker

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Is there anyone who doesn’t like daal makhani? Don’t think so! It is the most wondrous creamy lentil dish from Punjab region. There are a large variety of lentils that are cooked in an Indian kitchen but by no means this daal an ordinary affair. However it is extraordinarily simple to make. The one that you’ll find in restaurants with copious amounts of butter and cream is not how we make in our homes. Of course, daal makhani means  buttery/creamy  lentils and the dish does have decent amount of butter, but it is mostly about slow simmering that makes it creamy. When I learnt to make this dish my mom said to remember, ‘the longer it takes, the better it tastes’.

Update November 29, 2022

Check out my video on YouTube how I make this.

 

 

The lentils used in daal makhani are the whole urad and small amount of red kidney beans. The combination of these two lentils make the dish high on protein, very nutritious and ideal for the vegetarian diet.  Urad daal is small mung bean shaped beans but black in color. Since whole beans take a while to cook, I usually soak and pressure cook, but to attain the silky, buttery texture of daal makhani I use slow cooker. If you do not have a slow cooker (which I doubt), you can use a regular pot and cook daal on low heat with sufficient water. You have to keep adding more water as and when required. The length of time it takes your daal (lentil dish) to cook depends on how old the lentils and beans are and how soft and creamy you want.

 

 

Daal makhani tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop and is best enjoyed with freshly baked tandoori  roti or naan and a simple red onion salad.

If you never had daal makhani before and is only familiar with Costco Indian Madras Lentils, then this is the recipe you should try. Its authentic and much better in taste.

 

 

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Daal Makhani

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 hours

Total Time: 12 hours, 15 minutes

Yield: 8-10 servings

Daal makhani is a flavorful and protein rich dish from Punjab. It is cooked for long hours to give it a creamy and rich texture.

Ingredients

    For daal
  • 3/4 cup whole Urad
  • 1/2 cup rajma ( I used Jammu rajma)
  • 7 cups water plus more
  • salt to taste
  • 1 1/2 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
    • For tadka /tempering
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup fresh chopped tomato
  • 3/4 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 2 tsp kasuri methi
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds (optional)
  • 3 tbsp butter or desi ghee
  • 1 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 3/4 tsp roasted cumin powder
    • To finish
  • thinly sliced ginger or cilantro
  • whipped yogurt thinned with little milk or cream

Instructions

  1. Clean and rinse the urad lentils and red kidney beans.
  2. Add them to the slow cooker insert with 7 cups water and, ginger garlic paste.
  3. Put the lid on and cook on a high setting for three hours and then on low for 9 hours.
  4. In a skillet melt remaining 3 tbsp butter and olive oil.
  5. Add cumin, let the seeds starts to splutter. If the butter/oil is properly heated, this happens with in seconds.
  6. Add chopped onions,cook until they brown slightly. Add turmeric and red chili powder. Crush kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) in the palm of your hand and add it in.
  7. Stir fry the spices for a minute and then add pureed tomatoes.
  8. Let it cook until the raw smell goes off and oil glistens.
  9. Take this mixture and carefully add to the cooked lentils. Stir well.
  10. Sprinkle garam masala and roasted cumin powder. Add salt.
  11. Check the consistency of daal, it should neither be thick nor thin. If it is thick add some water (I generally do and cook daal a little more).
  12. Put the lid back on the slow cooker (after adding water) and let cook for another 15-30 minutes
  13. Garnish with some cream or whipped thin yogurt and thinly sliced ginger before serving.
  14. Serve hot with tandoori roti or naan.
https://www.simpleglutenfreekitchen.com/2014/05/daal-makhani.html

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Count me in as a lover of daal. This looks so satisfying and delicious. We just went to an Indian wedding recently – not only was it fun and festive but I was in heaven with the food. It was vegetarian but I didn’t miss the meat!

    Reply

  3. I have tasted this delicious dish but never ventured to cook. This recipe is my chance to try! If I use a pressure cooker will it affect the taste or texture?

    Reply

  9. Do you know? I’ve had this many times at restaurants and love it, but is one daal I haven’t made at home. It’s crazy I know. Btw, what’s Jammu rajma? How are the beans different?
    This looks wonderful and since I need to use my slow cooker more, I’m going to make this, finally!

    Reply

  12. I cooked Daal Makhani yesterday exactly according to your recipe. It was received with great appreciation and a standing ovation. All the cheers go to you!!! Thank you, Balvinder for this magnificent recipe!

    Reply

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