BLACK GARLIC DAL MAKHANI

I get lots of people asking if black garlic works well in Indian food. The answer is a resounding yes! Black garlic's unique umami flavour and caramelised sweetness blend beautifully with the bold spices and rich textures commonly found in Indian cuisine, as showcased perfectly in this delightful Black Garlic Dal Makhani recipe.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 3 hours (for dal) + 25 minutes (for sauce)

Ingredients:

300g Urad Dal (black lentils)

1 Large Onion, finely diced

10 Black Garlic Cloves, minced

1 Red Chilli, finely diced

30g Ginger, finely diced

60g Tomato Concentrate

75g Butter

75ml Double Cream

1 tsp. Chilli Powder

1 tsp. Ground Coriander

1 tsp. Ground Cumin

1 tsp. Fenugreek Seeds, ground

2 tsp. Garam Masala

4 Cardamom Pods, bruised

Instructions:

Rinse the Urad Dal under cold water until clear, then place it in a large saucepan along with cardamom pods. Cover with water and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the dal simmer for 3 hours or until the grains are soft and fully cooked, skimming off any impurities occasionally.

In a separate pan, heat some oil or ghee over medium heat. Add diced onion, ginger, and red chilli, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they start to colour.

Add minced black garlic to the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.

Stir in chilli powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, and ground fenugreek seeds. Cook the spices for a couple of minutes until they release their aroma.

Add tomato concentrate to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Drain the cooked dal and add it to the pan with onions. Pour enough fresh water to cover the dal by at least 1cm. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for an additional hour until the dal thickens and becomes creamy, stirring occasionally. Add more water during cooking if needed to maintain the desired consistency.

Stir in butter and double cream, and cook for another 15 minutes until well combined and the sauce is creamy.

Serve the dal makhani immediately with roti.

Enjoy this flavoursome and creamy black garlic dal makhani - a true comfort dish that's worth the wait! Perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal on any occasion.

Original recipe from the Our Modern Kitchen website