Recipe - Pachmela Dal: A Delicious And Nutritious Lentil Dish

Pachmela Dal is a popular lentil dish from the state of Rajasthan in India. This flavorful and nutritious preparation is a delightful blend of five different lentils, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal option. With its rich and aromatic spices, Pachmela Dal is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Here's a guide on how to prepare this delectable dish, along with its estimated preparation and cooking time.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

1/2 cup split green gram (moong dal)
1/2 cup split yellow pigeon peas (toor dal)
1/4 cup split Bengal gram (chana dal)
1/4 cup split black gram (urad dal)
1/4 cup split red lentils (masoor dal)
2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
2 green chilies, slit
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
Lemon wedges for serving

Method

- Wash all the lentils thoroughly and soak them in water for about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

- In a pressure cooker, heat some oil or ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds and let them splutter.

- Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

- Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Sauté for a minute until the raw aroma disappears.

- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy.

- Now, add all the soaked lentils to the cooker along with turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well to coat the lentils with the spices.

- Pour in enough water to cover the lentils (approximately 3 cups). Stir everything together.

- Close the pressure cooker with the lid and cook on medium heat for about 3-4 whistles, or until the lentils are cooked and soft.

- Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and give the dal a good stir. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed.

- Sprinkle garam masala over the dal and mix well.

- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

- Serve hot Pachmela Dal with steamed rice, roti, or naan. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the dal before serving for an extra tangy flavor.