Mixed Beans and Lentil Curry(Dal Makhani)

Energy rich Dal Curry ready to be served

Dal Curry is a simple recipe but the dals and beans added to the curry makes it a fiber and protein rich recipe. Unlike Dal Makhini, I use butter sparingly as a final touch but the curry is cooked in olive oil. I don't add any processed cream to make it rich and creamy. Since dals and beans are soaked and then cooked, in addition to the protein and fiber we get a burst of energy(prana sakthi) from this curry. It goes well with chapati or rice. I use whole toor dal, black beans and kidney beans, so the recipe is customized to add my part of health dose to it, be ready for a slightly different taste from Dal Makhini you would have tasted previously. Let's dive into the recipe......

Preparation time:10 min

Cooking time: 20 min
Serving size: 4

Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

• Whole toor dal - 1 cup
• Black beans -1/4 cup(optional)
• Kidney beans -1/4 cup
• Onion - 1 medium size
• Tomato - 1 medium size
• Green chillies - 2 nos
• Ginger - 2 inch piece
• Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
• Dhania powder - 1 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander - for garnishing
• Olive Oil - 5 tsp

Note: Black beans and kidney beans needs to be soaked for 6 - 8 hrs or overnight and pressure cooked along with the toor dal.

Pressure cook the dal and beans

Preparation

1. Pressure cook the dal and beans for 5 whistles on medium heat.
2. Chop the onions and set aside.
3. Chop the tomato and set aside.

Cook on medium heat

Cooking

1. Bring oil to warm in a skillet on medium heat.
2. Slit the green chilli in the middle, half way through and add it along with chopped onions. Saute till the onion turns golden brown.
3. To the sauteed onion, grate the ginger, add it and give it a saute for 30 seconds.
4. To the sauteed ginger and onion, add the chilli, dhania, coriander and turmeric powders and give it a mix.
5. To the masala add the chopped tomatoes and cook until the tomato is mashed. I add very little water, cover and cook it so the tomato gets mashed well without getting burnt.



Add a dab of butter at the end

6. Add the kasoori methi to the masala and mix.
7. To the masala add the cooked dal and beans, required amount of salt and water if needed and allow it to boil.
8. Once it starts boiling simmer it for 5 - 10 minutes until the masala blends with the dals and lentil. 
9. Garnish with coriander and blob of butter and remove from stove.
10. Serve with jeera rice or chapati and enjoy the dal curry

Nutritional facts

Whole toor dal is rich in folic acid, good for expecting moms for the baby's growth. Rich in protein and fiber, toor dal also eases the digestive tract and rejuvenate body's cell growth. Being one among longevity increasing food, black beans with its dietary fiber keeps your heart healthy by lowering the bad cholesterol and with the iron increases your energy level. Kidney beans also increases your energy level with its iron content by transporting oxygen to all your body parts. Onion and tomato improve your body's immunity. For health benefits of other spices used refer "Essential Spices for Healthy Cooking - Naveena Nangai"

Energy rich Dal Curry ready

This combination of whole toor dal, black beans and kidney beans is something that you mightn't have tried. Try this new combo and let me know how you like this new taste. Since the combo of lentil and beans is sure to increase your energy level and prana sakthi try it on cool weather days to keep yourself active and brisk.

You may also be interested in the following recipes:

Black Bean Brown Rice

Chana Dhal Curry Or Vada Curry

Cauliflower Stalk Curry