Rajasthani Panchmel dal is a lovely dal made with five different types of lentils. The word "Panch" means 5 and "mel" means mix hence the name "Panchmel Dal." The dal is very popular in Rajasthani cuisine and it became one of my favorites when I visited India a couple of years back. The flavours of the dal is delicious although it is tempered with only a few spices. It is perfect when served with a bowl of hot steaming boiled rice, a dollop of mango pickle and crispy poppadom scrunched on the top for added crunch. This is my perfect home comfort food for a rainy day.
The basic mix is made with equal proportions of 5 different dals Urad dal (black lentil dal), chana dal (chickpea dal) , masoor dal (orange lentils), moong dal(green lentils) and tuvar dal (pigeon peas dal)all without the husk. The key to get this dal flavoursome is in the tempering. You can get these in any wholefood shops or oriental section of any large supermarket or Asian grocery stores.
Rajasthani Panchmel Dal
Mixed lentil dal tempered with aromatic Indian spices.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Urad dal
- 1/4 cup Chana dal
- 1/4 cup Masoor dal
- 1/4 cup Tuvar dal
- 1/4 cup Moong dal
- 2 Dried red chilli
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1.5 teaspoons Salt
- 3 Garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 heaped teaspoon Fresh ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Green chillies Finely sliced in round circles
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Coriander finely chopped
- 6 Curry leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds
Method:
1. Mix together all the dals and wash in few changes of water. Once washed soak the dal in water for few hours.2. Drain the water from the dal and add it to a large saucepan, add fresh water and cook the dal on stove top for about 35-40 minutes until dal is cooked but still holding shape. Intermittently remove the scum and froth from the simmering dal and discard.(Avoid pressure cooking as dal becomes mushy)3. Add the turmeric, lemon juice and salt and mix it into the dal. Reduce the heat to a very low simmer.
For the tempering:
4.In a small pan add the oil and wait for it to heat. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds, red dried chillies, curry leaves and the green chillies. Wait for the splutter, next add the garlic and ginger and saute for few seconds. Pour the tempering over the cooked dal in the sauce pan and mix it through. I prefer my tempering to be stirred through the dal, although the authentic Rajasthani way is to just pour the tempering over the boiled dal and then add a generous dollop of clarified ghee on top.5.Turn off heat and transfer dal to serving bowl. Garnish with fresh coriander.
Details
Soak time: Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: Serves 4
I don't think i've ever made dal, but it does look delicious so I'll have to try it. I didn't know there were so many different types of lentil!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious - I love dal and sure this would taste fabulous! Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteBefore I read this, I just assumed lentils were used to bulk out meals. This recipe looks really yummy!
ReplyDeleteLaura x x x
This looks delicious. I don't often make daal but love it so much. This one with its mix of lentils must have a lovely combination of flavours. Delicious
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good!
ReplyDeleteWoow...such a lovely recipe..and wonderful clicks
ReplyDeletethis looks tasty!! think I'll be trying this :)
ReplyDeleteMmm, I bet this is so tasty! Love dahls, they are so cheap, nourishing and filling and love that this one used so many types of lentils.
ReplyDeleteJanie x
Oooh, this recipe looks delicious and I love your props.
ReplyDeleteI love lentils but I always thought making a dal was so scary and difficult, you have made it look so easy so I think I will def have to try this recipe :) Thank you
ReplyDeleteOoh Nayna, you have me craving dal now. I've never made dal with more than one type of pulse, so I'm keen to try this. Also good to find out that panch means five - so panch phoran presumably means 5 spices?
ReplyDeleteI love Dahl, I must make it more often. I just forget to put the lentils in to soak and then it is always too late to make it
ReplyDeleteThe mango pickle would be my favourite bit :)
ReplyDeleteOoh this looks amazing and anything I can enjoy with a poppadom is a win in my book! And I'll be honest lentils are usually something I only use in soup but I'm really interested in trying dal now!
ReplyDeleteOoh this looks amazing and anything I can enjoy with a poppadom is a win in my book! And I'll be honest lentils are usually something I only use in soup but I'm really interested in trying dal now!
ReplyDeleteOh this looks lovely, like someone else said, I didn't know there were that many types of lentil!
ReplyDeleteA really good dal has to be one of my favourite dishes. Sounds as though this one's pretty special, with all the different types of lentil.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing first time I tried Dal was at a friends house when she cooked it and ended up taking a huge pot home with me :). I have never tried to make it myself though
ReplyDeleteI've never made Dal but I would like to attempt this one. It sounds and looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious - also love the serving bowls!
ReplyDeleteI love daal which part of India did you visit by the way? x
ReplyDeleteOh wow this looks delicious! I will have to try it one day
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely combination of different lentils and spices. I really want to try this, will have to see if I can find everything.
ReplyDeleteit is my favorite dal with garlic no vaghar on top of it.
ReplyDeleteNever had dahl but will be trying it out, although it seems a little technical to me
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds delicious. I don't eat many lentils but I may have to try this.
ReplyDeleteI love lentils and Indian food so I know I would fall in love with this!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so nice and I never knew there was so many different types of lentils
ReplyDeleteOOh this sounds amazing, I do love a good Dahl and I tried pigeon peas for the first time last month x
ReplyDeleteI love the plates, they really add to the photo's - I only wish I could taste it as it looks delicious
ReplyDeleteHave never tried anything like this, it looks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried dal as I wouldn't have had a clue where to start with cooking it. Definitely going to try now, you make it sound easy (and delicious!)
ReplyDeleteoh wow, that looks and sounds delicious! I'd love to give it a go! x
ReplyDeleteThis looks so yummy. I would love to try it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good, and I want to get away from always cooking with meat
ReplyDeleteI love lentils, but my body doesn't haha. I'd be too scared to try this!
ReplyDeleteI have just stocked up on lentils and will have to give this a try, it looks delicious
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious as always and I'm LOVING your new plates x x
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of this before but it sounds lovely - any excuse for more lentils! :)
ReplyDeleteWow this actually looks delicious! I'm doing my best to eat healthy this year and would love to try this one out.
ReplyDeleteOh wow I love a good dahl and despite having just finished dinner I could so eat that right now. Yum!!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried anything like this - it looks and sounds delicious! Yummy :) Kaz x
ReplyDeletethat looks soo yummy! I really need to try this!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteLove lentils. Ultimate protein source. Will try this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious, filling and comfortingI love lentil based dishes! They're so good for you!
ReplyDeletethis looks amazing
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to make Dal & this looks delish�� So on it goes to my list!!
ReplyDeleteI have often cooked a Dal and will give this on a try
ReplyDelete