Maa Chole Ki Dal recipe is a staple curried mixed lentils dish made in every Punjabi household. If you love lentils, you will love this hearty, healthy dish that has a unique name and made with primarily two lentils ā chana dal (split skinned bengal gram) and urad dal (split black gram with skin). It makes for a delicious and filling meal when served with a side of roti, paratha or steamed basmati rice.
Whats with the Name?
When I first heard the name, I was amused. I did not even know that such a lentil recipe exists with such a name. Let me break it down for you.
- āMaa or Maahā here means Black Gram or Urad Dal.
- āCholeā is Bengal Gram or Chana Dal.
So In Punjabi we call this mixed lentils dish as āmaa chole ki dalā or āmaa choliyan di dalā.
Many delicious Indian dal recipes are made by combining two or more dals. Example Rajasthani Panchmel Dal or Gujarati Trevti Dal.
This Punjabi dal is one more fine example of preparing a flavorful dal recipe by combining the two lentils, which I have mentioned earlier.
Both the lentils are split. But the black gram has their black skins on.
The end result is a smooth dal with a creamy texture from the black gram and a subtle nutty sweetness from the chana dal.
About This Maa Chole ki Dal
This maa chole ki dal is minimally spiced. We donāt over spice this dal with spices, but do use a fair amount of onion, ginger, garlic and green chilies.
They do add some depth to the dal in terms of taste and flavors. So that the dal does not become bland.
If you have ever eaten food in gurudwaras or langars, then this mah chole ki dal will remind you of the dal served in gurudwaras. It tastes simply too good.
The dal served there have a slight thick consistency and sweet in taste. You can also check this Langarwali dal (Amritsari dal) and Dhaba dal made with a mix of 5 lentils.
This mah choleyan di daal is a filling dal and should be eaten hot with rice, roti or parathas. The dal is also very heavy.
I have learned to make this dal from my mother-in-law, who has been making this way for many years. This is a family favorite recipe that I am sharing.
I usually first sautƩ the spices, onions, tomatoes and then add the lentils. Sometimes, my mother-in-law makes a one pot dal. She does not sautƩ the ingredients but simply adds everything in the pressure cooker with some butter or ghee and let the dal cook.
You can also cook mah chole ki dal in a pot. Only that they will take a longer time to cook. If cooking in a pot, then soak the dal for 45 minutes or 1 hour prior to cooking.
The quantity of water should be adjusted when cooking in a pot. Ensure that the final consistency of the dish is not watery or runny. This dal has a medium consistency. I recommend using a thick bottomed pot, so that the cooked dal does not stick at the bottom.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to make Maa Chole Ki Dal
Soaking Lentils
1. Pick and rinse ā cup each of chana dal and split urad dal (with skins) in fresh water a couple of times. Then soak both the lentils for half an hour in water. Later drain all the water and set the lentils aside.
Make sure that you are using fresh lentils and they are not aged. They should be in their shelf period.
SautƩing spices, onions, tomatoes
2. In a 3 litre stovetop pressure cooker, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. You can use any neutral-flavored oil.
Splutter Ā½ teaspoon cumin seeds first on low heat.
3. Then add ā cup chopped onions.
5. SautƩ onion until light golden stirring often on a medium-low heat.
6. Add Ā½ teaspoon each of finely chopped ginger and garlic and Ā½ to 1 teaspoon chopped green chilies. Fry for about 15 to 20 seconds or until the raw aroma of the ginger and garlic goes away.
7. Then add Ā½ cup finely chopped tomatoes. SautĆ© stirring often until the tomatoes become soft and pulpy and you see oil leaving the sides of the pressure cooker.
8. Now add Ā¼ or ā teaspoon turmeric powder, Ā½ teaspoon red chili powder and 1 pinch of asafoetida (optional). SautĆ© for 4 to 5 seconds.
9. Then add the soaked lentils. Stir and mix well.
10. Pour 2.5 cups of water.
11. Add salt according to taste. Stir and mix again.
Cooking Lentils
12. Pressure cook for 8 to 9 whistles or 10 to 12 minutes on medium to medium-high heat until both the lentils are softened and mushy.
When the pressure settles down on its own in the cooker, then only open the lid and check the lentils.
13. If the lentils are not cooked completely and the water has dried up, then add about Ā½ to 1 cup water and pressure cook for some more time. Both the lentils should become soft and mushy.
Open the lid when the pressure settles down on its own. Then simmer the dal for some more minutes till you get a smooth consistency. If needed you can add some water if the dal looks too thick.
The dal should not be watery or runny but have a medium consistency. Mash a few cooked lentils with the back of a spoon when the dal is simmering. Mashing some lentils helps in thickening the dal.
14. Lastly add Ā½ teaspoon garam masala powder. Stir and mix well. Taste the dal and add more of the spice powders and salt if needed.
15. Once the lentils have cooked to your desired consistency, add or garnish with 1 to 2 tablespoons of coriander leaves.
Serving and storage
Serve Maa Chole Ki Dal hot or warm with chapati, plain paratha or steamed rice. Store any leftover dal in a covered bowl or container in the refrigerator for a day.
This dal will thicken when cooling. While reheating add some water and mix. Reheat the dal in a small pan and serve.
If you are looking for more Dal Recipes then do check:
If you have made this recipe, please be sure to rate it in the recipe card below. Sign Up for my newsletter or you can follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter for more vegetarian inspirations.
Maa Chole Di Dal
Maa Chole Ki Dal recipe is a staple curried mixed lentils dish from the Punjabi cuisine. A hearty, healthy, flavorful dish with a unique name and made with two lentils.
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Soaking lentils
Pick and rinse both the lentils in fresh water a few times. Soak them in enough water for 30 minutes.
If you have time, you can soak the dal for 45 minutes or more for faster cooking.
Later drain all the water and set the soaked lentils aside.
SautƩing onions and tomatoes
In a 3-litre stovetop pressure cooker, heat oil. Add the cumin seeds and fry them until they crackle on low heat.
Then add onions and sautƩ them until light golden stirring often on medium-low heat.
Add the finely chopped ginger, garlic and green chilies.
SautƩ for about 15 to 20 seconds or until the raw aroma of the ginger and garlic goes away.
Add the tomatoes and sautƩ stirring often until the tomatoes become soft and pulpy.
Now add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafoetida and garam masala. Fry for 4 to 5 seconds.
Adding lentils and water
Pressure cooking lentils
Stir and pressure cook for 8 to 9 whistles or 10 to 12 minutes on medium to medium-high heat until both the lentils are softened and mushy.
When the pressure settles down on its own, then only remove the lid and check the lentils.
If they are not cooked completely and the water has dried up, add about Ā½ to 1 cup water and pressure cook for some more time. Both the lentils should become mushy and soft.
Simmering lentils further
Open the lid when the pressure settles down on its own in the cooker.
Simmer the dal for some more minutes until you get a smooth medium consistency.
The dal should not be watery or runny.
Mash a few cooked lentils with the back of a spoon when the dal is simmering. This helps in thickening the dal. If needed you can add some water if the dal looks too thick.
Check the seasonings and add more of the spice powders and salt if required.
Once the lentils have cooked to your desired consistency, add or garnish with coriander leaves.
Serving and storage
Serve the Maa Chole Ki Dal hot or warm with roti, paratha or steamed rice.
Refrigerate leftovers for a day only in a covered container or bowl.
- Lentils: Make sure to make this dal with fresh lentils. Avoid aged lentils as they take a lot of time to cook and also donāt taste as good as fresh lentils.
- Soaking lentils: You can choose to skip soaking the lentils. Increase the cooking time for un-soaked lentils. However, I recommend to soak them for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Consistency: Maa chole ki dal has medium consistency. Do not make it very thick or runny. The lentils will also thicken on cooling. If they become too thick, add a bit of water while reheating.
- Spicing: For a spicy dal, increase the amount of green chillies and red chilli powder.
- Gluten-free dal: Omit adding asafoetida or use gluten-free asafoetida for a gluten-free version.
Nutrition Facts
Maa Chole Di Dal
Amount Per Serving
Calories 235 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 415mg18%
Potassium 108mg3%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 10g42%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 321IU6%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Vitamin E 4mg27%
Vitamin K 3Āµg3%
Calcium 71mg7%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 8Āµg2%
Iron 3mg17%
Magnesium 10mg3%
Phosphorus 16mg2%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This Maa Chole ki Dal post from the blog archives first published in July 2013 has been republished and updated on 12 January 2022.
Source: Dassana’s Veg Recipes
