Mixed Lentils Cooked in Exotic Spices (Rajasthani Panchratna/Panchmel Dal)

Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special
Rajasthani Cuisine 
Mixed Lentils Cooked in Exotic Spices (Rajasthani Panchmel Dal)
Serves 2

Ingredients:

Split Bengal Gram Lentil (Chana Dal)- 2 Tbsp.

Split Pigeon Pea- (Toor Dal/Arhar Dal)- 2 Tbsp.

Whole Red Lentil (Sabut Masoor)- 2 Tbsp.

Whole Green Gram Lentil (Sabut Moong)- 1.5 Tbsp.

Skinless Split Black Gram Dal (Dhuli Urad Dal)- 1.5 Tbsp.

Salt- To Taste

Turmeric Powder (Haldi)- ½ Tsp.

Mix of Extra Light Olive Oil/Olive Pomace Oil & Ghee- 2 Tbsp.

Asafoetida (Hing)- a Pinch

Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- ½ Tsp.

Cloves (Laung)- 2 No’s

Bayleaves (TejPatta)- 1No.

Dried Red Chillies- 2, Broken

Ginger-Green Chilli Paste (Pisa hua Adrak Hari Mirch)- 1 Tsp.

Cumin Powder (Kuta Jeera)- 1 Tsp.

Coriander Powder (Kuta Dhaniya)- ½ Tsp.

Red Chilli Powder (Kuti Lal Mirch)- ½ Tsp.

Tomatoes- 2 Medium, Chopped

Dried Mango Powder (Amchur)- 1 Tsp.

Water- Cups

Fresh Coriander Leaves- 2 Tbsp., Finely Chopped

Method:

Wash & Soak Dals in 1.5 Cups of Water for at least Two Hours

Mix Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Red Chilli Powder in Water

Drain and Boil Dals in 1.5 Cups of Water with Salt and Turmeric Powder till Cooked

Heat Oil in a Non Stick Pan

Add Hing, Jeera, Cloves, Red Chillies & as Jeera starts to Crackle

Add Ginger-Green Chilli Paste & Sauté

Add Cumin Powder-Coriander Powder-Red Chilli Powder Mixture & Sauté

Add Tomatoes & Cook till Oil comes on Surface

Add Cooked Dals, Salt & ½ Cup Water & Cook for about 8-10 Minutes

Check to see the Consistency of Dals and add more Water as required

Sprinkle Garam Masala as the Dish is Cooked

Garnish with Fresh Coriander Leaves

Serve Hot with Jeera Chawal (Cumin Seeds Flavoured Rice) or Simply Plain Rice! 
  

Tips:

As the Rich, Creamy & Thick Dal Makhni is to Punjab, PanchMel Dal is to Rajasthan!

‘PanchaRatna’ means 5 Precious Stones which represents the 5 Different Dals used in this Dish 

 

Variations:

Can Pressure Cook/Boil Dals with Turmeric Powder & Salt before the Frying Process
Can add about 1 Medium Finely Chopped Onions

Instead of Chopped pieces, can use Ginger-Green Chilli Paste (Pisa hua Adrak Hari Mirch)

Can add about ¼ Teaspoon of Garam Masala Powder towards the end

Can add about 1 Teaspoon of Tamarind Pulp (Imli) 

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)