Panchmel Dal Recipe | Rajasthani Dal | Panchkuti Dal

Rajasthani Panchmel Dal also known as Panchkuti is a traditional Rajasthani dal recipe. It is a staple in almost every household in Rajasthan. The Panchmel Dal is most often served along with Dal Baati, that is another popular dish from the Rajasthani Cuisine.  Panch mean five in hindu and hence the name Panchmel that is delicately blended together using various spices. Course : Lunch Ingridients : 1/4 cup Arhar dal (Split Toor Dal) 1/4 cup Masoor Dal (Whole) 1/4 cup Chana dal (Bengal Gram Dal) 1/4 cup Black Urad Dal (Whole) 1/4 cup Green Moong Dal (Whole) 2 tablespoons Ghee 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera) 1 Onion , finely chopped 4 cloves Garlic , finely chopped 1 inch Ginger , finely chopped 2 Green Chillies , slit vertically 1 Bay leaves (tej patta) 1 inch Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini) , broken 1 Tomato , finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder (Haldi) 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing) Salt , as required 1 Lemon , juice extracted For Tadka 1 tablespoon Ghee 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera) 2 Dry Red Chillies , broken Instructions To begin making the Rajasthani Panchmel Dal, we will first soak the all the dals in 3 cups of water for about 3 hours.  Heat ghee in a pressure cooker over medium heat; add the cumin seeds and allow it to crackle. Add the onion, green chillies, ginger and garlic and saute until the onion softends.Add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick and saute for a few seconds until you can smell the aromas coming through.Next add the tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, hing and saute for about a minute until the tomatoes have slightly softened.Once the tomatoes have softened, add the soaked dals, salt to taste and add water if required such that the water is at least 2 inches above the level of dal.Cover the pressure cooker, and pressure cook the Rajasthani Panchmel Dal for about 5 to 6 whistles - about 20 minutes until it is completely cooked through.Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally. Once the pressure has released, check if the dals are cooked well to perfection. Once pressed between fingers it should mash easily.Stir in the juice from the lemon and the coriander leaves and transfer the Rajasthani Panchmel Dal to a serving bowl.The next is the tadka, heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and red chillies and allow it to roast for a few seconds. Turn off the heat and add this tadka to the Rajasthani Panchmel DalServe the Rajasthani Panchmel Dal along with Bati or eat it along Spicy Paneer Pulao With Vegetables followed by the mouth-watering Traditional Rasmalai Recipe.