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)
A fragrant Kashmiri rice dish where long-grain basmati rice is cooked in a flavorful yogurt-based stock (yakhni) infused with whole spices. Aromatic, mild, and utterly delicious.
Fiber-rich Dal Sultani with aromatic Vegetable Yakhni Pulao. A gut-friendly and soul-satisfying combo!
This awadhi dish is perfect for dinner. With 854.07 calories and 23.369999999999997g 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.
Servings
4
Serving size: 1.5 cups
503cal
10gprotein
76gcarbs
18gfat
Ingredients
1.5 cup Basmati Rice (Long grain)
4 tbsp Ghee (Divided)
1 large Onion (Thinly sliced for birista)
3 tbsp Vegetable Oil (For frying onions)
2 pcs Bay Leaf
2 pcs Black Cardamom
4 pcs Green Cardamom
5 pcs Cloves
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
0.5 tsp Black Peppercorns
1 tsp Shahi Jeera (Caraway seeds)
1 cup Curd (Whisked until smooth, at room temperature)
1 tsp Dry Ginger Powder
0.25 tsp Asafoetida (Use gluten-free if needed)
2 cup Mixed Vegetables (Chopped carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower)
3 cup Water
1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
1 tbsp Mint Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare Rice and Vegetables
Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in fresh water for 30 minutes.
While the rice soaks, chop your mixed vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
Whisk the curd in a bowl until completely smooth and lump-free. Let it come to room temperature to prevent curdling.
2
Make Birista (Fried Onions)
Heat vegetable oil in a small pan over medium-high heat.
Add the thinly sliced onions and fry, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until they are deep golden brown and crisp.
Remove the fried onions with a slotted spoon and spread them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Set aside.
3
Prepare the Yakhni Base
Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the whole spices: bay leaf, black and green cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, and black peppercorns. Sauté for 45 seconds until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour in the whisked room-temperature curd, stirring continuously and vigorously for 2-3 minutes to prevent it from splitting.
Once the curd is incorporated, add the dry ginger powder, asafoetida, and 1 tsp of salt. Stir well.
4
Cook the Pulao
Add the chopped mixed vegetables to the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
Drain the soaked rice completely and add it to the pot. Gently stir for 1 minute, being careful not to break the grains.
Pour in 3 cups of water and add the remaining 0.5 tsp of salt. Gently stir everything together.
Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it cook undisturbed for 15-18 minutes.
After 15 minutes, check if all the water has been absorbed. If not, cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5
Rest, Garnish, and Serve
Turn off the heat and let the pulao rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes. This step is crucial for perfectly fluffy rice.
Open the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
Garnish with the prepared birista, chopped coriander, and mint leaves.
Serve hot with a side of cucumber raita or plain yogurt.
