Maa Chole Di Dal
A hearty Punjabi dal made with split black gram and chana dal, slow-cooked until creamy and finished with a simple onion-tomato tadka. It is rich, earthy, and comforting without needing too much spice.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~8 min
Soak and drain the dals.
Wash the urad dal and chana dal well. Soak them in enough water overnight, then drain before cooking.
TIPOvernight soaking helps the dals cook evenly and gives the finished dal a creamier texture. - pressure cook · ~30 min
Pressure cook the dals until soft.
1.Add soaked urad dal and chana dal to a pressure cooker.2.Pour in water, then add salt and turmeric powder.3.Cook on medium heat for 5 to 6 whistles, until both dals are very soft.4.Let the pressure drop naturally before opening the cooker.TIPThe dals should mash easily with the back of a spoon. Add a splash of water later if the mixture looks too thick. - mix · ~2 min
Mash the cooked dal lightly.
Open the cooker and stir the dal well. Lightly mash part of it with a spoon or whisk to make it creamier while still keeping some texture.
- temper · ~7 min
Make the tempering.
1.Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat.2.Add cumin seeds and let them crackle for a few seconds.3.Add asafoetida and stir briefly.4.Add onion and cook until light golden, about 5 to 6 minutes.TIPKeep the heat medium so the cumin and asafoetida do not burn. - saute · ~8 min
Cook the masala base.
1.Add ginger, garlic, and green chili to the pan and cook for 1 minute.2.Add tomato, red chili powder, and garam masala.3.Cook until the tomatoes turn soft and the masala looks thick, about 5 to 7 minutes. - simmer · ~10 min
Combine the dal and masala.
Pour the cooked dal into the pan with the masala and mix well. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the flavors come together and the dal reaches a medium-thick consistency.
TIPIf the dal thickens too much, loosen it with a little hot water and simmer again for a minute. - garnish
Garnish with coriander leaves.
- serve
Serve hot.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Soak both dals overnight; chana dal stays firmer than urad, so soaking helps them soften at the same pace.
- 2After pressure cooking, mash only part of the dal so it stays creamy without losing the rustic Punjabi texture.
- 3Cook the onions to light golden, not deep brown, so the tadka tastes sweet and balanced rather than bitter.
- 4Let the tomato masala turn thick before adding the dal; this prevents a raw tomato taste in the final dish.
- 5Simmer the combined dal for a full 8 to 10 minutes so the tadka flavors absorb into the lentils.
- 6If reheating leftovers, add hot water little by little since urad dal thickens a lot as it sits.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Replace ghee with mustard oil or a neutral oil for a fully plant-based version with a slightly sharper finish.
no onion no garlicNo-onion-no-garlic
Skip onion and garlic, increase ginger and hing slightly, and cook the tomato tadka well for a cleaner, satvik-style bowl.
spicierSpicier
Add an extra green chili or a little more red chili powder if you want the dal to pair better with plain rice.
dhaba styleDhaba-style
Simmer longer and finish with a bit more ghee for a richer, deeper-tasting dal closer to Punjabi roadside versions.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Protein-Rich Lentil Base
Urad dal and chana dal make this dish filling and nourishing, with plant protein that supports satiety.
Good Source of Fiber
The two dals provide fiber that can help make the meal more satisfying and support digestive regularity.
Digestive Aromatics
Ginger, garlic, cumin, and asafoetida are traditional flavorings that also make hearty lentils feel easier to digest.
Moderate Spice, Big Flavor
This dal gets depth from slow cooking, onion-tomato masala, and whole spices rather than relying on heavy heat.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but it will take longer to pressure cook and the texture may be less creamy and even than the soaked version.



