Langar Wali Maa Ki Dal

Ingredients

• 1 Cup whole urad (black lentil)
• 1/4 Cup red kidney beans (rajma)
• 1/4 Cup chana dal (Bengal Gram)
• 2 tablespoon vegetable refined oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 inch piece of ginger, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon hing (asafoetida)
• 1 medium size onion, finely chopped
• 1 large size tomato, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 3 Cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala ((see recipe))
• 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
• 2 green chillies, sliced
• handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix all three legumes in a bowl. Rinse 2 – 3 times or until water runs clear.

2. 2

   Soak them in clean drinking water overnight or for a minimum of 6 hours. This helps in softening the beans and reducing the cooking time.

3. 3

   In a pressure cooker heat oil. Once hot add cumin, asafoetida, and finely chopped ginger. Saute over medium heat till ginger turns light golden.

4. 4

   Add chopped onion and fry over medium heat till light brown.

5. 5

   Add chopped tomatoes, salt, turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder. Fry this masala over low heat till the tomatoes break down completely and the oil separates from the masala.

6. 6

   Drain the soaked legumes. Add them to the same pressure cooker. Saute for 2 – 3 minutes while mixing everything nicely.

7. 7

   Add water, stir to combine, and close the lid of the pressure cooker.

8. 8

   Pressure cook maa ki dal over low heat for 3 – 4 whistles. Turn off the heat. Allow the steam to release naturally from the pressure cooker.

9. 9

   Check maa ki dal for doneness. Turn back the heat on.

10. 10

    Add garam masala, kasuri methi, sliced green chillies to the dal. Stir to combine and simmer it over low heat for 5 – 10 minutes allowing all the flavors to meld together.

11. 11

    Taste dal at this stage for seasoning and add more seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

12. 12

    Serve maa ki dal with simple side dishes like naan, paratha, tandoori roti, or chapati.