A luxurious and creamy lentil dish from the royal kitchens of Mughlai cuisine. Made with pigeon peas (toor dal) and enriched with milk and cream, this dal boasts a velvety texture and a mildly spiced, aromatic flavor that is pure comfort in a bowl.
Prep15 min
Cook40 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
351cal
13gprotein
38gcarbs
Ingredients
1 cup Toor Dal (Also known as Arhar Dal. Rinse well before soaking.)
3.5 cup Water (3 cups for pressure cooking and 0.5 cup for adjusting consistency)
Experience the magic of ultra-thin, soft, and foldable flatbreads, reminiscent of a handkerchief. This Mughlai specialty is perfect for scooping up rich curries and kebabs, and surprisingly fun to make at home.
Creamy, protein-packed Dal Sultani with soft Roomali Roti – a gut-friendly comfort food classic!
This awadhi dish is perfect for lunch. With 680.49 calories and 20.77g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
17gfat
Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
(Adjust to your spice preference)
3 tbsp Curd (Full-fat, whisked until smooth)
1 cup Whole Milk (At room temperature)
1.25 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
0.5 tsp Sugar (Balances the flavors)
3 tbsp Heavy Cream
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 tbsp Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed)
2 pcs Dried Red Chilies (Broken in half)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Soak the Dal
Rinse the toor dal under running water until the water runs clear.
Soak the dal in ample water for at least 30-60 minutes. This step is crucial for a creamy texture. Drain the water completely before cooking.
2
Pressure Cook the Dal
In a pressure cooker, combine the soaked and drained dal, 3 cups of water, 1 tsp of salt, turmeric powder, bay leaf, and the cinnamon stick.
Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium heat for 4-5 whistles, or for about 15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
Allow the pressure to release naturally. Open the cooker, remove and discard the bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
Whisk the dal vigorously until it is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
3
Prepare the Masala Base
Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it turns a deep golden brown. This will take about 8-10 minutes and is essential for the dal's signature sweet, rich flavor.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute until the raw aroma disappears.
4
Combine and Simmer
Reduce the heat to low. Add the Kashmiri red chili powder and stir for 10 seconds.
Immediately add the whisked curd, stirring continuously and vigorously for 1 minute to prevent it from splitting.
Pour the cooked, whisked dal into the pan. Mix everything together well.
Stir in the milk and about 1/2 cup of water to achieve your desired consistency. Add the remaining salt and the sugar.
Bring the dal to a gentle simmer and let it cook on low heat for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5
Finish the Dal
Stir in the heavy cream, garam masala, and fresh lemon juice. Mix gently to combine.
Cook for just 1-2 more minutes on the lowest heat. It is important not to boil the dal after adding the cream. Turn off the flame.
6
Prepare the Final Tempering (Tadka)
In a small tadka pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee over medium heat.
Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle and pop.
Add the broken dried red chilies and sauté for about 20-30 seconds until they darken slightly and become aromatic.
Immediately pour this hot, fragrant tempering over the prepared dal.
7
Garnish and Serve
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Serve Dal Sultani hot with naan, roti, or jeera rice for a truly royal meal.
330cal
8gprotein
48gcarbs
12gfat
Ingredients
1.5 cup All-Purpose Flour
0.5 cup Atta
0.75 tsp Salt
1 tbsp Vegetable Oil (for the dough)
0.5 cup Warm Milk
0.25 cup Warm Water (adjust as needed)
2 tbsp Ghee (for brushing, optional)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 0.5 cup of atta, and salt.
Add the vegetable oil and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Gradually pour in the warm milk and warm water, mixing continuously to form a very soft, pliable, and slightly sticky dough. You may not need all the water.
2
Knead and Rest the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled surface and knead for 10-12 minutes until it becomes extremely smooth, soft, and elastic. It should spring back when gently pressed.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 60 to 90 minutes. This step is crucial for relaxing the gluten, which makes stretching possible.
3
Prepare the Cooking Surface
Invert a large kadai (Indian wok) or a convex tawa over your stove burner.
Heat the inverted kadai on a medium-high flame for 5-7 minutes until it's very hot. To test if it's ready, sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface; they should sizzle and evaporate almost instantly.
4
Divide and Shape the Dough
After resting, gently knead the dough for another minute.
Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized balls. Keep the dough balls covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.
5
Stretch the Roti
Take one dough ball and dust it generously with all-purpose flour. Roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter.
Gently lift the rolled dough and drape it over the knuckles of both hands. Carefully rotate the dough, allowing gravity to stretch it further until it becomes paper-thin and translucent. Be gentle to avoid tearing.
6
Cook the Roti
Quickly and carefully, drape the stretched roti over the hot inverted kadai.
Cook for about 30-45 seconds, or until you see small bubbles forming on the surface.
Using a pair of tongs, flip the roti and cook the other side for another 20-30 seconds. The roti should be cooked through but remain soft and pale, without any dark brown spots.
7
Fold and Serve
Remove the roti from the kadai and place it on a clean cloth or plate.
Immediately fold it in half, and then in half again to resemble a handkerchief.
Brush with a little ghee if desired. Place the folded roti in a casserole dish or wrap it in a kitchen towel to keep it warm and soft while you cook the rest.
