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4.7 from 108 votes

Dhaba Dal

This creamy, spiced, flavorful Dhaba style dal fry is inspired from the dal served at Punjabi dhabas. The recipe is made more healthy and protein rich as it features 5 different dals or lentils.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 3
Calories: 240 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

For cooking dal (lentils)
  • 2 tablespoons chana dal husked & split bengal gram
  • 2 tablespoons tuvar dal husked & split pigeon pea lentils
  • 2 tablespoons urad dal split urad dal with their husks (chilkewali urad dal)
  • 2 tablespoons moong dal split mung lentils with husks (chilkewali moong dal)
  • 2 tablespoons masoor dal (pink lentils)
  • 1 pinch turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
  • 2 cups water for pressure cooking
Other ingredients
  • 1.5 tablespoons oil - can use ghee or butter
  • 55 grams onion or 1 medium onion or ⅓ cup chopped onion
  • 4 grams ginger or ½ inch ginger or 1 teaspoon crushed ginger
  • 4 grams garlic or 6 to 7 small garlic cloves or 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
  • 2 to 3 green chilies slit
  • 2 to 3 dry red chilies
  • 1 teaspoon kasuri methi, crushed
  • 115 grams tomatoes or 1 large tomato, chopped or ½ cup chopped tomatoes
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
  • ½ teaspoon red chilli powder (or cayenne pepper or paprika)
  • ½ teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
  • ½ to ⅔ cup water or add as required
  • salt as required
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
Whole spices
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ inch cinnamon
  • 2 to 3 cloves
  • 2 green cardamoms
  • 1 tej patta or indian bay leaf

Instructions

Cooking lentils
    Cup of Yum
  1. Pick and rinse the lentils a couple of times. If you want you can also soak the lentils in water for an hour.
  2. Add the lentils in a pressure cooker along with a pinch of turmeric powder. Also add 2 cups water.
  3. Pressure cook for 18 to 20 minutes on a low to medium flame.
  4. When the pressure settles down on its own, open the lid and check the dals.
  5. The lentils should be cooked very well and softened.
  6. Lightly mash and keep aside.
Making dhaba dal
  1. In a kadai or pan, heat 1.5 tablespoon oil or ghee.
  2. Add all the whole spices and saute them till they crackle and become fragrant.
  3. Then add the chopped onions.
  4. Stir often and saute till the onions turn light golden.
  5. Then add 1 tsp crushed ginger, 1 tsp crushed garlic, 2 to 3 slit green chilies and 2 to 3 dry red chilies. Mix well and saute till the raw aroma of ginger & garlic goes away.
  6. Add crushed kasuri methi and stir.
  7. Now add the chopped tomatoes. Stir and saute till the tomatoes soften.
  8. Then add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and a pinch of asafoetida.
  9. Mix the spice powders with the rest of the onion-tomato masala.
  10. Add the cooked dal and mix well.
  11. Add water and stir very well.
  12. Season with salt and mix again.
  13. Simmer the dhaba dal on a low flame till the dal thickens a bit. 
  14. Keep on stirring at intervals so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
  15. When the dal is done, switch off the flame. Add chopped coriander leaves. Reserve some coriander leaves for garnishing.
  16. Garnish with some coriander leaves and serve the dhaba style dal fry hot with rotis or parathas or steamed rice or cumin rice or ghee rice. You can also do the dhungar method if you want and then serve the dal.

Nutrition Information

Calories 240kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 513mg (21%) Potassium 294mg (8%) Fiber 11g (44%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 561IU (11%) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg Vitamin B6 1mg Vitamin C 12mg (13%) Vitamin E 3mg Vitamin K 6µg Calcium 72mg (7%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 59µg Iron 3mg (17%) Magnesium 31mg Phosphorus 74mg Zinc 1mg

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 240

% Daily Value*

Calories 240kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 513mg 21%
Potassium 294mg 6%
Fiber 11g 44%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 561IU 11%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg
Vitamin B6 1mg
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Vitamin E 3mg
Vitamin K 6µg
Calcium 72mg 7%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 59µg
Iron 3mg 17%
Magnesium 31mg 8%
Phosphorus 74mg
Zinc 1mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.