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Maa Ki Dal

Maa Ki Dal

Images on Rasoi Buddy are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the exact appearance of the final dish.

Maa Ki Dal, also known as Kaali Dal, is the ultimate comfort food from the rustic kitchens of Punjab. Unlike Dal Makhani, which uses heavy cream and butter, this traditional version relies on the slow-simmering of whole black urad dal with basic aromatics to create a naturally creamy and earthy dish. The dal is cooked for hours over low heat until the lentils break down, yielding a thick, soul-satisfying consistency that highlights the deep, smoky flavor of the lentils. It is a nutritious and wholesome staple served in every Punjabi household, embodying maternal love and simplicity. Best paired with hot whole wheat rotis or plain steamed rice.

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time60 mins
Servings4 People
DifficultyMedium
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Ingredients

1 cup Whole Black Urad Dal (soaked 8 hours)
1 Large Onion, finely chopped
2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp Ginger, finely crushed
1 tbsp Garlic, crushed
2 Green chilies, slit
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tsp Red chili powder
1 tsp Garam masala
2 tbsp Ghee
Fresh coriander for garnish
Salt to taste
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Cooking Instructions

Tips & Secrets

  • Slow simmering is the absolute secret to achieving the naturally creamy texture of Maa Ki Dal.
  • Always use hot water if you need to thin the dal during simmering to keep the temperature consistent.
  • Adding ginger and garlic at the tadka stage provides a more robust aroma than boiling them with the lentils.
  • For a professional finish, mash about 20% of the lentils against the sides of the pot while cooking.

Nutritional Information(Per 1 bowl (250g))

Calories

240 kcal

Protein

12g

Fat

8g

Carbs

28g

Note: Nutritional values are professional estimates per standard serving (~200-250g / ml) and may vary based on ingredient quality and preparation methods.