Moong Dhal Makhani Recipes

MOONG DHAL MAKHANI

Steps:

• Wash the mung beans thoroughly under cold water, and repeat two-three times until the water runs clear when drained. Put the beans in a small saucepan with 200ml water and 200ml milk and bring to the boil. Let it boil vigorously for 5 mins before reducing to a low heat. Simmer for 30-45 mins half-covered with a lid. Check the mung beans after 30 mins. When they are cooked, they should be soft enough to smash with the back of a spoon.
• In a separate frying pan, heat the sunflower oil and butter. Once warmed through and the butter has melted, add the tomato purée and chilli powder (depending on how hot you like it). Cook for 5 mins on a low heat before adding this paste to the bean pan.
• Increase the heat of the saucepan to medium, add salt to taste, and reduce, uncovered, if you need to. The consistency should be slightly thinner than a custard. At this point, add the remaining 50ml milk, and stir well. Cover with a lid, and cook on a low heat for 30 mins, adding a splash of water during cooking if it gets too thick. Check for seasoning, before serving topped with the coriander.

BUTTERY MOONG DAL WITH GARLIC AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Put dal, turmeric and salt in a large soup pot, add 7 cups water and bring to a gentle boil, stirring.
• Turn heat very low and cover pot with lid slightly ajar. Check pot and stir frequently, as the dal has a tendency to boil over in the beginning. Skim off and discard any foam that rises. Cook for about 45 minutes, until quite soft. Taste and adjust salt. For a smooth, velvety consistency, purée dal in a blender, then return to pot. If you prefer some texture, just beat with a whisk for a minute or two. (If dal is very thick, thin with a little water.)
• Make the tarka: Heat ghee in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin, chile and garlic and cook until cumin is fragrant and garlic is lightly colored, about 1 minute. Add shallot and continue cooking until shallot is softened, about 1 minute more. Pour contents of skillet into pot and stir into the dal.
• Transfer to a serving bowl or individual soup bowls. Sprinkle with a pinch of garam masala or red chile powder and/or serve with basmati rice, if desired. Dal may be made in advance, refrigerated and reheated (it will solidify when chilled and need thinning). Cool to room temperature before refrigerating. It will keep 2 to 3 days.

MAKHANI DHAL

Steps:

• Boil the lentils in 800ml water for 15 mins until almost tender. Meanwhile, fry the onions and chillies in the 50g butter for about 7 mins until starting to soften. Stir in the ginger, garlic and spices and cook over a low heat for 1 min more.
• Pour in 800ml boiling water followed by the cooked lentils and any liquid. Add the bay leaves and beans, then simmer for 20 mins more until thickened. This can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, or frozen for up to 1 month.
• To serve, return to the heat if necessary and stir in the cream. Season well. Pour into a bowl, dot with the remaining butter, dust with garam masala and scatter with coriander.