A luxurious and creamy Mughlai curry where soft paneer cubes are simmered in a fragrant white gravy made from cashews, yogurt, and aromatic spices. This royal treat is perfect for a special meal or celebration.
A soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet leavened bread from Mughlai cuisine. Flavored with saffron and cardamom, this rich flatbread is perfect for scooping up decadent curries like korma or nihari.
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.
Creamy Paneer Korma with soft Taftan & protein-packed Dal Sultani. A soul-satisfying, energy-giving feast!
This awadhi dish is perfect for dinner. With 1163.27 calories and 37.56g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
30gfat
1 inch stick Cinnamon
1.5 tsp Coriander Powder
0.5 tsp White Pepper Powder (use black pepper if unavailable)
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
0.5 tsp Sugar (balances the tanginess)
2 tbsp Fresh Cream (optional, for richness)
1 tsp Kewra Water (optional, for fragrance)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (chopped, for garnish)
1.5 cup Water (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Korma Paste
Soak cashews in 1/2 cup of hot water for at least 15-20 minutes to soften them.
In a saucepan, combine the chopped onions, green chilies, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
Drain the water from the onions and let them cool down for a few minutes.
Transfer the boiled onions and the soaked cashews (along with their soaking water) to a blender. Blend until you get a very smooth, fine paste. Set aside.
2
Temper Whole Spices
Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat.
Once the ghee is hot, add the whole spices: bay leaf, green cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon stick.
Sauté for about 30-40 seconds until they become fragrant and release their aroma.
3
Sauté Aromatics and Paste
Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 1 minute until its raw smell disappears.
Add the prepared onion-cashew paste to the pan. Cook on medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking.
Continue cooking until the paste thickens, darkens slightly, and starts to leave the sides of the pan.
Add the ground spices: coriander powder, white pepper powder, salt, and sugar. Mix well and cook for another minute.
4
Build the Gravy
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Add the well-whisked curd (yogurt) to the pan, a little at a time, while stirring continuously. This prevents the curd from splitting.
Once the curd is fully incorporated, cook for 2-3 minutes until you see specks of ghee separating from the masala.
Slowly pour in 1.5 cups of water, stirring constantly to create a smooth, lump-free gravy. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
5
Simmer and Finish
Gently slide the paneer cubes into the simmering gravy.
Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes. This allows the paneer to absorb the flavors of the korma.
Stir in the garam masala and optional fresh cream and kewra water. Mix gently and cook for just one more minute.
Turn off the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving for the flavors to meld.
4
Serving size: 1 piece
420cal
9gprotein
58gcarbs
16gfat
Ingredients
2 cup Maida (All-purpose flour)
1 tsp Active Dry Yeast
2 tbsp Sugar (Divided)
0.75 tsp Salt
0.75 cup Warm Milk (Around 110°F / 43°C)
3 tbsp Curd (Plain yogurt, at room temperature)
4 tbsp Ghee (Melted and divided)
0.5 tsp Green Cardamom Powder
1 pinch Saffron Strands (A generous pinch, about 12-15 strands)
1 tbsp Poppy Seeds (For topping)
Instructions
1
Activate Yeast & Prepare Saffron Milk
In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup of warm milk, 1 tbsp of sugar, and the active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it stand for 5-7 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly. This indicates the yeast is active.
In another small bowl, add the saffron strands to 2 tbsp of warm milk. Let it soak to release its color and aroma. Set aside.
2
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the maida (all-purpose flour), the remaining 1 tbsp of sugar, salt, and green cardamom powder.
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the frothy yeast mixture, room temperature curd, and 2 tbsp of melted ghee.
Using a spatula or your hands, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3
Knead and First Proof
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth, soft, and elastic. The dough should spring back when gently pressed.
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl lightly greased with ghee or oil.
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in volume.
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)
3 tbsp Ghee (Divided use)
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 pcs Bay Leaf
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
1 pcs Onion (Large, finely chopped)
1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
0.75 tsp 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.
Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the trapped air. Divide it into 4 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 6-7 inch oval or round shape, about 1/4-inch thick.
Place the shaped taftans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using your fingertips, press dimples all over the surface to prevent them from puffing up completely during baking.
Cover loosely with a cloth and let them rest for another 15 minutes.
5
Prepare for Baking
While the taftans are resting, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Gently brush the tops of the shaped dough with the saffron-infused milk you prepared earlier.
Sprinkle generously with poppy seeds.
6
Bake the Taftan
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven on the middle rack.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the taftans are puffed, golden brown on top, and cooked through.
Remove from the oven immediately.
7
Finish and Serve
As soon as the taftans come out of the oven, brush them generously with the remaining 2 tbsp of melted ghee.
Serve warm with rich, gravy-based dishes like Nihari, Qorma, or Paneer Makhani.
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.
