If you think that green lentils only have health benefits and lack a distinct flavor, you should try Mughlai Shahi Dal in royal style. This soup is prepared by adding spices, yogurt, and fresh cream, which significantly enhances its taste.
Green lentils are considered very healthy, but many people do not like their taste. Nevertheless, here is a recipe for Mughlai Shahi Dal that is so delicious that after the first taste, you will want to cook it again. Thanks to yogurt, whole spices, fresh cream, and special aromatic oil, the taste of this soup becomes excellent. Its aroma and creamy texture give it the appearance of a dish from a royal table. The advantage is that it is easy to prepare at home, and it can be served with rice, jeera rice, naan, or roti for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients needed to prepare Shahi Dal
For the lentils themselves, you will need: 1 cup of whole green lentils, 4 green cardamoms, 2 large cardamoms, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 2-3 cloves, 3-4 whole black peppercorns, salt to taste, and water as needed.
To prepare the aromatic oil, you need: 2 tablespoons of ghee, 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds, 2 onions (finely chopped), ½ teaspoon of garlic (minced or paste), 1 inch of ginger, 2 green chilies, a pinch of asafoetida, ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder, 2 tablespoons of Kashmiri red chili powder, 2 tablespoons of coriander powder, ½ cup of whipped yogurt, water as needed, 2-3 tablespoons of fresh cream, ½ teaspoon of roasted methi leaves, and fresh cilantro.
How to cook Shahi Dal at home
First, thoroughly wash the whole green lentils and soak them in water for eight hours. Then, tie the green cardamom, large cardamom, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and whole black peppercorns in a clean cotton cloth into a pouch. In a multi-cooker, add the soaked lentils, the spice pouch, salt, and the required amount of water. Cook the lentils until three whistles are heard, ensuring they are fully cooked but their grains do not turn into a puree.
Next, heat some oil and ghee in a pot. Add the cumin seeds and fry them. After that, add the chopped onion and fry until golden brown. Then add the garlic, ginger, and green chili, cooking for some time. After this, sprinkle in the turmeric, Kashmiri red chili, and coriander powder. Add a little water and simmer the spices for 3-4 minutes until they are well roasted. Then pour in the whipped yogurt and salt, stirring constantly until the oil starts to separate from the spices.
After that, add the cooked lentils and mix thoroughly. If the soup seems too thick, you can add a little water to adjust the desired consistency. Finally, stir in the fresh cream, roasted methi leaves, and fresh cilantro. After everything is well mixed, cook for a few more minutes, then turn off the heat. Hot Mughlai Shahi Dal in royal style should be served with rice, jeera rice, naan, or roti, enjoying its magnificent taste.