Daal Maharani

Daal Maharani

A tasty and healthy mix of lentils and beans, Daal Maharani (Dal Makhani) is a recipe from North India. This is a richer, creamier daal than others (e.g. the simple Indian daal and can be eaten with naan/roti and a pickle on the side.


1/2 cup whole urad dal (black lentils) with skin
1/4 cup rajma (red kidney beans)
1/4 cup chana dal

1 medium onion, chopped fine
2 fresh green chilies, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
3/4 inch ginger, paste
1/4 cup ghee or butter
1/4 tsp haldi (turmeric) powder
1/4 tsp red chili powder
salt to taste

1 tbsp fresh cream
1 tbsp ghee or butter
2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
lime wedges/juice

  • Wash and soak lentils and beans in water for at least 5 hours
  • Cook them with salt until extremely soft (Use a pressure cooker ifyou have one)
  • In another pot, heat ghee (substitute a mix of oil and ghee is you want to reduce the calorie content) and sauté chopped onions, chillies & ginger paste
  • When the onions turn a light golden brown, add tomatoes
  • When tomatoes and softened, add the turmeric and chili powders
  • Sauté this mixture for a minute, then pour the cooked dal, add salt to taste, bring to boil and turn off stove
  • Add the fresh cream and butter
  • Just before serving, garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot
  • Lime juice adds a nice tang to the dal

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