Marry Me Lentils (Dal Makhani)

Hi there, food lover! 👋 Ready to fall in love at first bite? 💛 Today we’re making a creamy, dreamy North Indian classic — Dal Makhani, or as I like to call it, “Marry Me Lentils” because once you taste them, you’ll be committed for life! This dish is slow-cooked to perfection with black lentils and red kidney beans, infused with warm spices, and finished with silky cream. Perfect for cozy dinners, family gatherings, or impressing someone special.

---

Ingredients:

For the lentils:

• 1 cup whole black urad dal (whole black lentils)
• ¼ cup rajma (red kidney beans)
• 4 cups water (for boiling)
• 1 tsp salt

For the masala base:

• 2 tbsp ghee or butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, pureed
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chilies, slit (optional, for heat)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1½ tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp garam masala powder

To finish:

• ½ cup fresh cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
• 2 tbsp butter
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

---

Directions:

1️⃣ Soak & cook: Soak urad dal and rajma overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse. In a pressure cooker or large pot, add lentils, kidney beans, 4 cups water, and salt. Cook until very soft (about 20–25 min in pressure cooker or 1–1.5 hrs simmering in pot).

2️⃣ Make the masala base: In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat ghee or butter. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Stir in onions and sauté until golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies; cook for a minute until fragrant.

3️⃣ Spice it up: Add turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt (if needed). Stir well. Pour in tomato puree and cook until oil starts to separate from the masala.

4️⃣ Combine & simmer: Add the cooked lentils and kidney beans (with their cooking liquid) into the masala. Stir and mash slightly for creaminess. Add a little water if too thick. Simmer on low for at least 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5️⃣ Finish with love: Add cream, butter, and garam masala. Stir gently and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

---

Nutritional Information:

⏰ Prep Time: 15 min (plus overnight soaking) | 🔥 Cooking Time: 1 hr | ⏳ Total Time: ~1 hr 15 min
⚡ Calories per serving: ~280 kcal | 🍽️ Servings: 4

#DalMakhani #MarryMeLentils #IndianFoodLove #ComfortFood #VegetarianDelight #SpiceAndLove

Bon appétit and happy cooking! 👩🍳🍽️