I was introduced to Kaali Dal pretty late in my life but as it goes, I started liking it instantly.
I always thought it was an extremely difficult dish to cook but have overcome my fears now. I cook it often now – tried different recipes, but this one here has turned out the best.

Ingredients
1 cup urad dal (chilkewaali urad dal)

2 medium sized onions2 finely chopped green chillies3 chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp of tomato puree

pinch of turmeric

2 tsp cumin seeds/jeera

1 tsp coriander seeds/dhania

1 tsp of fennel seeds/saunf 

5-6 cloves

1 inch piece of cinnamon

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp ginger finely chopped

1 tsp garlic finely chopped

Butter

Cream

Coriander leaves finely chopped

Salt

 

Method
1. Cook 1 cup urad dal(chilkewaali urad dal) with salt and turmeric in it in a pressure cooker for 4-5 whistles.

2. In a pan, dry roast 1 tsp each of cumin, coriander seeds, saunf, 5-6 cloves and 1 inch piece of cinnamon. 

3. Add some turmeric powder, 1 tsp chilli powder and roast some more. Add the salt. Make a fine powder of the spices. You can store this powder. 

4. In a pan, take 1 tbsp of butter (the more the better ).  Fry 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp ginger finely chopped and 1 tsp garlic finely chopped.

5. Add 2 medium sized onions finely chopped, pinch of salt and fry till translucent.

6. Add 2 finely chopped green chillies and 3 chopped tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes are mushy.

7. I also added 1 tbsp of tomato puree (store bought) for extra taste. Add 2 tsp of the powder and mix well

8. Add the cooked dal and mix well.Adjust the salt. You can add a pinch of sugar to balance out the tangy tomatoes. Cook for 10 mins on a slow flame.
9. Mix in 1 tbsp cream, Garnish with chopped coriander and serve. For added flavor, you can top it up with the spice powder that you had made earlier and some lime juice.

 

Category: Curries,North Indian,vegetarian