Chillimix: Dhaba Style Dal

In India highways are dotted with local restaurants popularly known as dhabas (singular: dhaba). They sometime serve local cuisine, but mostly Punjabi style cuisine - since most Indian truck drivers are of Punjabi descent. The word dhaba has come to represent any restaurant that serves Punjabi food, especially the heavily-spiced and fried Punjabi fare preferred by many truck drivers. These cuisine are usually simple, very rustic and freshly prepared.

This dish combines three types of dals and brings out the authentic dhaba taste.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup whole Urad Dal with skin
1/4 Cup Red Kidney Beans
1/4 Cup Chana Dal/Split Bengal Gram
1 big Onion chopped
1 big Tomato chopped
8 cloves Garlic chopped
3 Green Chillies sliced
1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
1 Tsp Jeera Powder
1/2 Tsp Chilli Powder
1/4 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 Tsp Garam Masala Powder
1/4 Cup chopped Coriander Leaves
1 1/2 Tbsp Kasuri Methi/dried Fenugreek leaves
1 1/2 tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

Preparation:

Soak urad dal, kidney beans & chana dal over night.
Pressure cook dal with enough water and salt.
Heat oil in a pan, add chopped garlic and fry briefly.
Add chopped onion, little salt and green chillies.
Saute till onion turns golden brown.
Add chopped tomatoes and cook till soft and mash well.
Add turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and jeera powder.
Add 1/2 cup water and mix well.
Cover and cook in low flame till oil floats on top.
Add cooked dal, butter, chopped coriander leaves and salt.
Cook till oil floats on surface of the dal.
Crush kasuri methi in your palm and add it to the dish.
Serve hot with chapathi.