Punjabi Shahi Daal

Name: Punjabi Shahi Daal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 serving
Ingredients: 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp coriander seeds; ½ tsp fenugreek seeds; 1 tsp mustard seeds; 5 black peppercorns; 1 tsp chilli powder; ½ tsp turmeric powder; 1½ cups moong daal; 5 cups water; 2 tbsp ghee; 10 curry leaves; 1 tsp cumin seeds; ½ cup onion; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tsp ginger; 1 tomato; 2 small hot chillies; 2 tbsp cilantro; 1 lime

User Reviews

5.0

12 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings
4
Calories
362 kcal
Course
Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine
Indian, Pakistani

Punjabi Shahi Daal

Stella Pitts

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This amazing and simple Punjabi style daal is absolutely packed with flavour and fragrance. Creamy, nutty and spicy too! Learn how the humble lentil can be so delicious.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the spice powder

1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
½ tsp fenugreek seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
5 black peppercorns
1 tsp chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric powder

For the daal

1½ cups moong daal (or urad, massor or toor daal - dried)
5 cups water

For the tadka

2 tbsp ghee (or vegetable oil)
10 curry leaves (fresh)
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ cup onion (finely diced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp ginger (minced)
1 tomato (diced)
2 small hot chillies (finely sliced)
2 tbsp cilantro (coriander)(chopped)
1 lime (cut into wedges)

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Instructions

Making the spice powder

Add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds and peppercorns to a dry frying pan - toast for 1-2 minutes until they start to dance around the pan. Remove and add to a pestle & mortar or spice grinder and grind to a powder. Stir in the chilli powder, turmeric and salt and set aside.

Cooking the daal

Add the daal and spice powder to a pan and cover with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook gently (covered) for 30 minutes (stirring regularly) until the daal is tender and smooth. Remove from the heat.
NOTE: Different daal absorb water differently, so you may need to adjust your water accordingly. My recipe follows a 1:4 ratio, but you may need to either add a little more water or reduce for a while to get the right consistency. You want a thickish, creamy consistency (like a loose porridge) when cooked. If the daal is too thick, add more water and if it's too thin, reduce until thicker. Towards the end of cooking it may stick to the bottom of the pan so keep a keen eye on it.

Making the tadka

Heat the ghee in a pan until hot then add the curry leaves and cumin seeds, quickly followed by the garlic and ginger. Sizzle briefly before adding the onion and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add the tomato and sliced chillies and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and tip all the contents into the daal and stir well. Sprinkle over the cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Serve hot over rice with lime wedges, accompanied by Indian breads or alongside other Indian dishes as part of a larger feast.

Notes

changing the daal type is fine - Masoor, Urad, Toor and Moong all work well.
Mixing up your own tadka - For the tadka, I sometimes stir in cooked spinach, cooked fresh or frozen Methi (fenugreek leaves). On occasion I’ll also stir in a little coconut cream for a richer, creamier version.
Whole spices - You can add different whole spices to the tadka too; try mixing in a little fennel seeds, mustard seeds, a small cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, black peppercorns, nigella seeds and more.
Storage
Fridge - The dal will stay fresh for up to a week in airtight containers.
Freezer - freeze in single portions for 3+ months. When it comes to reheating either cook from frozen in the microwave until piping hot. You may like to add a few tablespoons of water to avoid it drying out too much. Alternatively, you can defrost and reheat in a pan until piping hot.
Changing Dal - changing the daal type is fine - Masoor, Urad, Toor and Moong all work well.
Mixing up your own tadka - For the tadka, I sometimes stir in cooked spinach, cooked fresh or frozen Methi (fenugreek leaves). On occasion I’ll also stir in a little coconut cream for a richer, creamier version.
Whole spices - You can add different whole spices to the tadka too; try mixing in a little fennel seeds, mustard seeds, a small cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, black peppercorns, nigella seeds and more.
Fridge - The dal will stay fresh for up to a week in airtight containers.
Freezer - freeze in single portions for 3+ months. When it comes to reheating either cook from frozen in the microwave until piping hot. You may like to add a few tablespoons of water to avoid it drying out too much. Alternatively, you can defrost and reheat in a pan until piping hot.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 362kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 52g (17%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 108mg (5%) Potassium 867mg (25%) Fiber 25g (100%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 563IU (11%) Vitamin C 67mg (74%) Calcium 94mg (9%) Iron 7mg (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 362 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	362kcal	18%
Carbohydrates	52g	17%
Protein	20g	40%
Fat	9g	14%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Polyunsaturated Fat	1g	6%
Monounsaturated Fat	3g	15%
Cholesterol	19mg	6%
Sodium	108mg	5%
Potassium	867mg	18%
Fiber	25g	100%
Sugar	4g	8%
Vitamin A	563IU	11%
Vitamin C	67mg	74%
Calcium	94mg	9%
Iron	7mg	39%