Panchmel Dal Recipe (Rajasthani Panchratna Dal)

Panchmel dal also known as Rajasthani Panchratna Dal recipe is Indian dal prepared with five varieties of lentils or dals in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and is a great accompaniment for Indian flatbreads, Bati , rice or jeera rice. If you literally translate the dish name, Panch meaning five and Mel meaning mix.

Panchmel/Panchratna dal recipe is a traditional Rajasthani dish. These places are arid and hence, home to a lot of delicious spicy lentil recipes.Traditionally ,cooked lentils are seasoned and tempered with cumin ,red chillies and asafetida.

You can make this dal without onion and garlic to keep it as close to the traditional recipe as possible.

Dal is such an essential part of Indian cooking. From north to south, east to west, every region has their version of dal. I have few dal recipes with me that I rotate frequently. Try out this Spinach Dal or Vegetable Sambar sometime.

So, next time if you are bored of eating the same kind of Dal every day then do try this Rajasthani Dal instead!

LENTILS FOR PANCHMEL DAL

Panchmel Dal is a 5 lentils dal or 5 lentils Indian stew. Lentils used are Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Pea), Masoor Dal (split red lentils), Urad Dal (split black gram/ black lentils) (with or without skin), Chana Dal (split bengal gram) and Moong Dal (split green gram)(with or without skin).

There are many versions of this dal.Quantity and type of dals/lentils varies from household to household. Some people use less urad dal because urad dal is sticky when cooked .Today’s recipe has equal parts of all 5 lentil dals.

TIPS & VARIATIONS:

1. Soak all the dals in water for at least 30 mins, helps to cook faster.
2. If your dal is watery, you can turn on the saute mode and cook for another 2-3 minute in the end.
3. For a variation ,you can also make this dal by skipping onion, ginger and tomatoes.
4. If one wants really soft mashed dal, 12-14 minutes manual/pressure cook (High Pressure) is probably the ideal setting in manual mode.But I like dals (lentils) to be little firm so I selected 10 minutes Manual/Pressure Cooker (high pressure) option.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR PANCHMEL DAL

Panchmel Dal is served traditionally bati, roti, parathas, steamed rice or jeera rice.But can be eaten with quinoa, brown rice! or even eaten as a lentil soup.

INGREDIENTS

• Toor Dal (Split Pigeon Pea)
• Moong Dal (split green gram)(with or without skin)
• Urad Dal  (split black gram/ black lentils) (with or without skin)
• Chana Dal (split bengal gram)
• Masoor Dal (split red lentils)
• Water
• oil
• jeera seeds (cumin)
• Green Chilies Chopped
• curry leaves 
• Onion ,finely chopped
• Ginger Grated
• Tomato ,finely chopped
• Salt to taste
• Fresh Coriander chopped
• Lemon Juice

Spices:

• Turmeric Powder
• red chilli powder , (adjust to your spice level)
• coriander powder

Extra Tempering (optional)

• ghee(clarified butter)
• red chilles
• jeera seeds (cumin)
• asafetida (hing)

There are multiple ways to cook Panchmel Dal. Rajasthani Panchmel dal/Panchratna Dal recipe can be cooked either in an Instant Pot, Stovetop Pressure Cooker or directly on stovetop in a saucepan or kadai. 

HOW TO MAKE PANCHMEL/PANCHRATNA DAL RECIPE IN INSTANT POT PRESSURE COOKER STEP BY STEP

1.Wash and rinse the dal, keep aside. In this recipe i dint soak the dals before cooking.

Press SAUTE mode on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add cumin seeds. Let them crackle.Add chopped green chili, curry leaves and saute for 10 secs.

2.Then add chopped onion ,grated ginger. Saute till onions turn light brown in color.

3.Add tomatoes and cook till tomatoes turn soft ,takes 2-3 minutes.

4.Then add rinsed lentils or dal ,turmeric powder, red chili powder ,coriander powder ,salt ,water and give a stir.Adjust spices at this stage.

5.Close the lid on the pot, and turn pressure valve to SEALING position.

Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and increase timer to 10 minutes. Once the pot beeps, let it release the pressure naturally(NPR) for 10 minutes.

6.Remove lid away from you, add cilantro and lemon juice. Also adjust consistency of the dal at this point.

If its too dry , turn on SAUTE mode ,add some water and boil for 2 minutes.Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Panchmel dal is ready, add extra tempering and serve hot with boiled rice, quinoa or roti.

NOTE: If one wants really soft mashed dal, 12-14 minutes manual/pressure cook (High Pressure) is probably the ideal setting in manual mode.But I like dals (lentils) to be little firm so I selected 10 minutes Manual/Pressure Cooker (high pressure) option .

IF YOU LIKED THIS YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

• Dal Tadka – Dal prepared with split pigeon peas lentils ,assorted spices
• Green Lentil Soup – lentil soup made with green lentils, carrots, celery, red bell pepper and indian spices
• Spinach Dal / Palak Dal – Dhal cooked with spinach leaves
• Mango Dal– Dal cooked with Raw Mango

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Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes? Try my recipes for Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta or Instant Pot Mushroom Masala . For more Indian Instant Pot recipes check my Instant Pot Recipe Index Page.

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