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Home » Recipes » Cuisine » Indian » Northern Indian

Lahori Dal

Published: Mar 12, 2017 · Modified: Apr 21, 2017 by Manju · This post may contain affiliate links · 30 Comments

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A simple to prepare dal, that is made extra delicious and special with the butter and cream in it.

Lahori Dal

Any state or even city in India that you take, there will be a type of dal or lentil preparation that is very unique to them. This Lahori dal recipe originates from the city of Lahore in Punjab, Pakistan. Punjab was split into two – one in India and one in Pakistan during the partition soon after India’s Independence. A lot of Lahori cuisine is influenced by the local Punjabi cuisine ( with it renowned Butter Chicken) and also by the Mughlai cuisine.

Lahori Dal (5 of 5)

This Lahori Dal is a very simple dal made with sabut masoor dal or whole brown lentils. These are the same lentils that become split red lentils or the regular masoor dal when skinned and split. In spite of it being a whole lentil, it is easier to cook than other dals like chana dal and even toor dal. There is a significant amount of butter and cream in the original recipe of this Lahori Dal but I have used a lesser quantity as this is the recipe I use for everyday cooking. When cooking for special occasions or for guests, I amp up the butter and cream in this.

If you like this dal, you would also love some of these simple dal recipes or everyday cooking:

Dal Palak - Spinach with Moong Dal- Vegan | Gluten Free
Dal Palak - Spinach with Moong Dal
Dal Fry
Lauki Chana Dal
Lauki Chana Dal

 

Lahori Dal (1 of 5)

Lahori Dal – The Recipe

(Adapted from Tarla Dalal’s Punjabi Khana)

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup whole masoor dal
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 Thai green chilli, split lengthwise
  • ¼ cup cream or substitute with whole milk for everyday cooking
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ red onion, chopped finely
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ lime
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoon cream

Method:

Rinse the lentils with water. Pressure cook or cook on stove top with enough water – about 1 ½ cups, until soft. Mash the dal till it is soft and almost all mashed up.

Add the crushed garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, thai green chilli and cream and mix well. Let it simmer till the dal thickens.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a small pan and add the cumin seeds. Once they start crackling, add the onions and garlic to it. Sauté till the onions become soft and translucent.

Pour this mixture on to the dal and add enough salt.

Switch off heat and squeeze half the lime over it.  Drizzle the 2 tablespoon cream over it as garnish once moved to a serving dish.

Lahori Dal

A simple to prepare dal, that is made extra delicious and special with the butter and cream in it.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Manju
[recipe_key]

Ingredients

  • ½ cup whole masoor dal
  • 2 cloves garlic , crushed
  • ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 Thai green chilli , split lengthwise
  • ¼ cup cream or substitute with whole milk for everyday cooking
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ red onion , chopped finely
  • 1 clove garlic , minced
  • ½ lime
  • salt , to taste
  • 2 tablespoon cream

Instructions

  • Rinse the lentils with water. Pressure cook or cook on stove top with enough water – about 1 ½ cups, until soft. Mash the dal till it is soft and almost all mashed up.
  • Add the crushed garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, thai green chilli and cream and mix well. Let it simmer till the dal thickens.
  • Meanwhile, heat the butter in a small pan and add the cumin seeds. Once they start crackling, add the onions and garlic to it. Sauté till the onions become soft and translucent.
  • Pour this mixture on to the dal and add enough salt.
  • Switch off heat and squeeze half the lime over it. Drizzle the 2 tablespoon cream over it as garnish once moved to a serving dish.
Tried this recipe?Mention @Cookingcurries or tag #cookingcurries on social media. We would love to take a look and share!

Lahori Dal (2 of 5)

Lahori Dal
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Irish Lamb Stew with Guinness »
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia Taylor says

    March 14, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    It looks so beautiful and has a nice texture to it. We eat homemade lentil soup frequently, so I'm sure my hubby would love this.

    Reply
  2. jacquee | i sugar coat it! says

    March 15, 2017 at 5:08 am

    5 stars
    I am always up for anything with lentils - this looks so very deliciously rich and comforting. Loving all the wonderful spices.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 15, 2017 at 5:09 pm

      Thank you! I love lentils too!

      Reply
  3. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

    March 15, 2017 at 7:21 am

    I love experimenting with Indian cuisine. The aroma of all those wonderful spices is so wonderful. This looks and sounds totally delicious.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 15, 2017 at 5:08 pm

      Thank you! It is ?

      Reply
  4. Aish Das-Padihari says

    March 15, 2017 at 9:48 am

    I make a lot of dal as well - various varieties but I haven't given lahori dal a try yet. I will try it.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 15, 2017 at 5:07 pm

      You should! I am sure you will love this! ?

      Reply
  5. Jacqueline Piper | PiperCooks.com says

    March 16, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    This looks wonderful, I have all the ingredients so I think I'm going to make this on the weekend. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      Oh yay! I'm sure you will love it. Let me know if you do make it ?

      Reply
  6. Jennifer says

    March 17, 2017 at 6:48 am

    I have never heard of dal before but I am up for trying anything new I have never had before. This looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      Thanks Jennifer

      Reply
  7. Amy says

    March 17, 2017 at 2:50 pm

    Sounds delicious! I really appreciate the geographical explanation and context at the beginning of this post - I love knowing that sort of thing!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:34 pm

      Thanks Amy ?

      Reply
  8. Margot says

    March 18, 2017 at 12:55 am

    5 stars
    I'm loving sound of this dish, we love lentils in this house and I have actually pot of red lentil soup on the stove 🙂 But I have never tried masoor dal so I'm very intrigued...

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:35 pm

      I'm sure you get the whole masoor Dal in regular grocery stores. It's whole brown lentils and the red lentils are skinned and split whole masoor.

      Reply
  9. Lynn | The Road to Honey says

    March 18, 2017 at 5:15 am

    This is such a stunning Dal Manju. I love all the colors and textures. And since it is loaded with lentils. . .I like that I can sneak in a little extra protein into my day.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:36 pm

      Thank you very much, Lynn!

      Reply
  10. Allison Hanson says

    March 18, 2017 at 6:33 am

    This looks delicious. I am very lucky, my brother married a Punjabi woman so we get spoiled with delicious food all the time. I saved this recipe to try it out on my own. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:30 pm

      Ah!! How lucky!! ?

      Reply
  11. Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says

    March 18, 2017 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    Your Dahl looks delicious Manju. It's one of my favourite lentil dishes but i've never tried it with brown lentils, I love the sound of adding butter and cream for a luxurious touch.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:30 pm

      The cream and butter takes it to a whole another level. You will love it! Thanks!

      Reply
  12. Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary says

    March 18, 2017 at 11:38 am

    İ never had this but İ'd like to experience İndian taste once in a while

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:30 pm

      You should and something easy and milder like this Dal would be a good place to start.

      Reply
  13. Lynne Curry says

    March 19, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    I love dal. This information about the differences in Lahori cuisine as a result of the partition! I can't wait to try your recipe to the letter to taste its uniqueness and the enrichment from the butter and cream. Thanks for the culinary voyage.

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you Lynn! Glad to have been of help ?

      Reply
  14. Derek Campanile says

    March 20, 2017 at 6:27 am

    This looks to die for! I can't tell you how much Indian food I've consumed over the last year, its my absolute favorite. I haven't gathered the courage to cook it at home yet, but I've got your blog bookmarked for when I get brave!

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 20, 2017 at 9:00 am

      ?if you need some extra courage, ping me on messenger and I can "live" guide you!

      Reply
  15. April says

    March 20, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    I haven't tried dal yet but I want to now. This sounds super good and very easy to make! I'm definitely pinning it!

    Reply
  16. Ali Cool Cab says

    March 27, 2017 at 3:11 am

    5 stars
    Our entire team tried and tested lahori-dal last weekend at our office during small official gathering. It was awesome. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe...

    Reply
    • Manju says

      March 28, 2017 at 12:49 am

      Thank you very much! That's very good to hear ?

      Reply

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