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Ingredients

Instant Pot

  • 1 cup dried black whole urad dal (black lentils)
  • 1/3 cup rajma (dried red kidney beans)
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 small cloves
  • 2-4 green cardamom depending on size
  • 1 black cardamom*
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Tomato Mixture

  • 2 big tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion chopped finely
  • 1 heaping teaspoon minced garlic or garlic paste
  • 1 heaping teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon kashmiri chili powder or more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala

Finishing

  • 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
  • 1 teaspoon kasoori methi
  • 1/4 cup fresh cream
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • salt to taste

Instructions

Instant Pot

  • Rinse the black whole urad dal and rajma well. Add it to a bowl. Soak in water for minimum 8 hours or overnight. Make sure water is 1 inch above the dal.
  • Once soaked, rinse again and add it to pressure cooker along with the cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, black cardamom if you have it, salt, and stock.
  • Instant Pot settings: High for 30 minutes.
  • When ready, use a masher or an immersion blender to get it blended.

Tomatoes

  • Whiz the tomatoes to a fine puree and set it aside. (Puree should come to 1 cup.)
  • To a large pot melt the butter.
  • Add the cumin seeds and saute until they splutter.
  • Whiz the onion until chopped finely and add to the pan.
  • Add the ginger and garlic pastes, and salt to taste.
  • Saute for a minute.
  • Add prepared tomato puree.
  • Saute for a minute then cook until raw smell leaves.
  • Add the spices and saute until no water remains and it is thick and almost paste like.
  • Add the mashed dal.
  • Mix it well. (Add water if it's a really thick consistency. I didn't have to, but it may be needed.)
  • Cover with lid and simmer for 15 minutes minimum, stirring occasionally.

Finishing

  • Add the spices, cream, and butter, mixing well.
  • Check for salt and adjust to taste.

Notes

* I didn't have any black cardamom, so I added a couple more green cardamom.