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Smoked Dhaba Dal Recipe

Smoked Dhaba Dal Recipe

By Admin
Prep Time Total in 50 M
Course Lunch
Cuisine Punjabi
Diet High Protein Vegetarian

The Smoked Dhaba Dal Recipe is a classic recipe of lentils that are spiced together and given a smoked flavor. I absolutely love dal at the dhabas on the highways up north of India. The Dhaba dal when smoked from the burning coal, brings out delicious flavors and works magic on my palette. Through this recipe, I've tried to achieve similar flavor. Hope you all like it. Dals (Lentils) are a staple part of the Indian diet. From fritters to soups to desserts, I use lentils every single day!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal)
  • 1/2 cup Green Moong Dal (Whole)
  • 1 Onion
  • finely chopped
  • 2 Tomato
  • finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • finely chopped
  • 1 inch Ginger
  • finely chopped
  • 1 Green Chilli
  • finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin powder (Jeera)
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder (Dhania)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Salt (Kala Namak)
  • Salt
  • to taste
  • Oil
  • as required
  • Ingredients of Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Ghee
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies
  • broken
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • slivered
  • 4 sprig Coriander (Dhania) Leaves
  • finely chopped
  • 1 Charcoal

Instructions

Step 1

To begin making the Smoked Dhaba Dal Recipe; we will use the pressure cooker method to make the dal in one pot along with all the spices

Step 2

Soak the tuvar dal and green moong dal for about an hour in water

Step 3

Once you are through with the soaking time, get all the ingredients ready

Step 4

Heat a teaspoon of oil in the pressure cooker; add the onions, ginger, garlic and green chillies and saute for a few minutes until the onions are lightly tender and softened

Step 5

Add the tomatoes, and the remaining spices and saute until you smell the aromas coming through

Step 6

Add the soaked dals, salt and add 3 cups of water

Step 7

Cover the pressure cooker, place the weight on and cook until you hear 2 to 3 whistles

Step 8

After two to three whistles, turn the heat to low and simmer the Dhaba Dal for about 5 to 8 minutes

Step 9

Once done, turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally

Step 10

The dal continues to cook under the pressure, hence we allow it to rest until the pressure releases

Step 11

Once the pressure releases; open the cooker and you will notice the dal cooked and mushy

Step 12

That is how we want the Dhaba Dal to appear

Step 13

Stir in the chopped coriander leaves and check the salt and spice levels

Step 14

Adjust to suit your taste

Step 15

Adjust the consistency of the dal, by adding water

Step 16

Now the final step is to add the smoked flavor and to prepare the seasoning

Step 17

To smoke the dal heat charcoal until red hot over the gas burner (direct flame)

Step 18

Once the coal is red hot, place it in a heatproof bowl

Step 19

Place this bowl on top of the cooked lentils

Step 20

Drizzle a teaspoon of ghee over the hot coal

Step 21

The coal will begin to smoke almost instantly

Step 22

At this stage, cover the dal pan and allow the smoke to circulate inside

Step 23

This process of smoking a dal, is called Dhungar or Coal Smoking Technique

Step 24

After about a minute, open the dal pan and you will see the smoke effect has withered

Step 25

Transfer the Smoked Dhaba Dal to a serving bowl

Step 26

For the seasoning; heat a teaspoon of ghee in a small pan; add the cumin seeds, the slivered garlic, and red chillies

Step 27

Allow the cumin to crackle for a few seconds and turn off the heat

Step 28

Pour this seasoning over the Smoked Dhaba Dal

Step 29

Serve Smoked Dhaba Dal Recipe along with Garlic Naan and Palak Raita for a weekday meal

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