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Panchmel Dal (Rajasthani Panchratna Dal)

Panchmel Dal, also called Panchratna dal, is a comforting one-pot Indian mixed lentil soup which is high in protein, and fiber. With only a few basic pantry ingredients, you'll put a complete and tasty meal on the table.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 312 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Split Gram Dal (Chana Dal)
  • 1/4 cup Split Black gram lentil (split black urad dal)
  • 1/4 cup Red lentils (Split Masoor Dal)
  • 1/4 cup Split Green moong lentils
  • 1/4 cup Toor Dal (Split pigeon peas)
  • 2 tablespoon ghee use oil for vegan*
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 6-7 cloves (Laung)
  • 3-4 dry red chili
  • 2 green chili I used serrano peppers, adjust to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 cup onion finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger grated
  • 1 1/4 cup tomato finely diced
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 lime juice of
  • cilantro to garnish
Spices
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Turmeric (Haldi powder)
  • 2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 2 teaspoon Coriander powder (dhaniya powder)
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Wash the lentils with water and keep aside.
Instant Pot Method
    Cup of Yum
  1. Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat the ghee/oil in it.
  2. Add cumin seeds, cloves, dry whole red chilies, green chili and asafoetida. Allow them to cook for 30 seconds while stirring constantly.
  3. Then add diced onion and grated ginger. Saute until onions are translucent for about 3 minutes.
  4. Now add tomatoes and saute for 3 minutes until tomatoes are soft and mushy. Add all the spices and give it a stir.
  5. Add washed lentils and water. Press CANCEL and close the instant pot lid with vent in sealing position.
  6. Press MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK mode for 8 minutes and let the pressure release naturally (NPR)
  7. Open the lid, add garam masala and lime juice.
  8. Garnish with cilantro and serve. Enjoy!
Stovetop Method
  1. Follow the same steps as above to cook the dal in a stovetop pressure cooker. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles until the dal is cooked and soft. Then let the pressure release naturally. Stir in garam masala and lime juice. Garnish with cilantro and serve!

Notes

  • Vegan Variation: Use your favorite plant based oil to make this dal vegan.
  • Vegan Variation: Use your favorite plant based oil to make this dal vegan.
  • Ghee: For the authentic flavor, use ghee to make this dal. Ghee is used only in the traditional Panchmel dal preparation. However, this dal can be made with a mix of ghee and oil. 
  • Ghee: For the authentic flavor, use ghee to make this dal. Ghee is used only in the traditional Panchmel dal preparation. However, this dal can be made with a mix of ghee and oil. 
  • I have used 2 tablespoon in this recipe. But it is okay to reduce it down to 1 tablespoon of you prefer.  
  • Spices: In this dish, I used both whole spices and garam masala powder. This is because panchmel dal is a spicy Rajasthani dish. If you don't want it to be overly spicy, you may cut back on the garam masala and red chili powder. You can also skip the green chili in the initial tempering. 
  • Spices: In this dish, I used both whole spices and garam masala powder. This is because panchmel dal is a spicy Rajasthani dish. If you don't want it to be overly spicy, you may cut back on the garam masala and red chili powder. You can also skip the green chili in the initial tempering. 
  • Additional tempering when serving: In a small pan, heat ghee or oil. Add some cumin seeds and dry red chilies. Cook for about 30 seconds. Then take the pan off heat and add some mild red chili powder. When serving, drizzle the tempering over the dal for a beautiful splash of color. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 312kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 15g (30%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 705mg (29%) Potassium 601mg (17%) Fiber 16g (64%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 1038IU (21%) Vitamin C 65mg (72%) Calcium 96mg (10%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 312

% Daily Value*

Calories 312kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 15g 30%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 705mg 29%
Potassium 601mg 13%
Fiber 16g 64%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1038IU 21%
Vitamin C 65mg 72%
Calcium 96mg 10%
Iron 5mg 28%

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