Sindhi Maakhni Dal

Sindhi meals can be as elaborate and exotic with ingredients such as bhee (lotus stems), phoolpatasha (popped lotus seeds), khumbhi (fresh mushrooms) or gucchi (dried oyster mushrooms), or as simple as dal-chawal (dal-rice), masala puri with tea or seyal fulka ( usually made of leftover rotis and spices).

We Sindhis are big on breakfasts and often have ghee-laden rich dishes such as koki ( a spicy masala flatbread with wheat flour, chopped onions, chillies, coriander leaves and ghee), seero (a roasted whole wheat flour with sugar and ghee), dal-pakwan or a simple, yet filling dal-puri.

Sindhi maakhni dal, that is often had with puri, or pakwan( fried crisp maida flatbread) is quite unlike the rich butter-laden Punjabi dal makhni.

Maakhni dal uses the humble moong dal cooked to a creamy texture with masalas and hot ghee poured on top, which raises the dish to a sublime level.

Here’s the recipe for the ever-popular Sindhi favourite, Maakhni Dal.

The Recipe of Maakhni Dal (serves 2)

Ingredients

Moong dal 250 gms

Turmeric Powder 1 tsp

Salt to taste

For Garnish

Ghee 1 1/2 tbsp

Amchur Powder( Dry Mango Powder) 1 1/2 tsp

Jeera Powder 1 1/2 tsp

Black Pepper Powder 1 tsp

Red Chilli Powder 1 tsp

Procedure

1. Wash the moong dal till the water runs clear. Add salt and turmeric powder and boil it in enough water till done.
2. Whisk it till slightly grainy. The consistency of the dal should be thick enough to be had with a poori or a fulka (roti). Give it a boil again. Add a little water if necessary.
3. Remove it in a serving dish and sprinkle the masalas mentioned in the garnish.
4. Pour hot melted ghee on the top and serve immediately.

Featured pic: Sindhi Maakhni Dal by Diya Davara, AhmedabadCheck out the recipes of other Sindhi Dals :

Sindhi Bassarwari Dal – Sindhi Khazana – a recipe of tuver dal with onions by Mrs. Diya Davara, Ahmedabad

Sindhi Dal Pakwan – Sindhi Khazana – a perfect combination of channa dal and pakwan with tamarind chutney, a recipe by Mrs. Renu Kirpalani, Ahmedabad

Sindhi Thumwari Dal – Sindhi Khazana – a recipe of moong dal with garlic to be had with rice, a recipe by Mrs. Urvashi Dama, Mumbai

Jyoti Mulchandani

Ahmedabad