Punjabi-Inspired Black Gram Dal
Cooking with dals is a fun experience for me in the kitchen, especially if they feature in an Indian-inspired creation, and I often go into the kitchen armed with only a scant idea of how I am going to cook the dals, with some thought beforehand in case I need to soak the dals ahead of time or require any additional items that I don't happen to have on hand already. Of course, this is not always the case, and many of the dal recipes that I make are well drafted and thought through in more detail and then revised as I cook.
But this Punjabi-inspired creation is an example of the former, knowing only that I wanted whole urad beans as the focal point of the dish as I have been quite smitten with them lately, and also wishing to prepare something easy for dinner that required little fuss. And so this earthy, creamy and nourishing urad bean dish was served up for dinner in hardly at time at all.
The smoky and spicy flavor and creamy texture of this dish is reminiscent of dal makhani, which is also Punjabi in origin but includes red kidney beans and sometime chana dal in addition to whole urad beans; typically it is served with a good swirl of heavy cream (or coconut milk to keep the dish vegetarian). Here I have included coconut milk in the spiced tomato gravy in which the beans are simmered because I was aiming for the same creamy texture that is so unique to dal makhani, but use more water or include another tomato if you are looking for something less creamy and slightly more tart.
Whole black urad beans, or black gram, are also known as black lentils, though black gram is not actually a lentil and should not be confused with beluga lentils. You can find them in any Indian grocer. The bean has a unique glutinous texture when cooked and should be soaked overnight to ensure that it cooks through. Black gram in this Punjabi-inspired creation adds a creamy and distinctive quality to the dish.
Punjabi-Inspired Black Gram Dal |
Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on February 25, 2019 Simple creamy black lentils simmered in a spicy and smoky tomato gravy Print this recipe Ingredients:
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Other dishes featuring black lentils:
Classic Dal Makhani
Classic Dal Makhani with a Vegan Twist
Black and Yellow Chickpeas in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce