Related Cooking Notes
Dal Makhani (Creamy Lentils)
Ingredients
pressure cook
1 cup whole black urad dal
1 tbsp chopped garlc
2 tsp minced ginger
2 bay leaves
2 1/2 cups water
mix
1/4 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup half-and-half or cream
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp garam masala
tempering
2 tsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp tomato paste
garnish
fresh cilantro (optional)
Directions
Pick over and rinse the dal. Put the dal, garlic, ginger, and bay leaves, and water in a pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 30 mins with a natural pressure release. When cooked, mash 1/4 (or less) of the dal to thicken the mixture.
In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, half-and-half (or cream), salt, turmeric, cayenne, cumin, coriander, and garam masala.
Tempering. Heat ghee over medium-high heat in a pan. When hot add the cumin seeds. When the seeds start to sputter, add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it absorbs most the ghee, about 2 minutes.
Add the tempering and yogurt/spice mixture to the dal.
Serve with cilantro as garnish.
Notes
MSG doesn't enhance the flavor.
Don't skimp on the salt.
References
Adapted from Indian Instant Pot Cookbook, 2017, p50, by Urvashi Pitre