Monday, August 24, 2009

My Style Dhal

This may not be a unique recipe, but was so different to me about 5 years back (during my memorable student days), when I made this one fine day - just by following my instincts for the use of ingredients, as I got terribly bored of the plain dhal that I used to make. Later on I came to know that many people make dhal this way. Nevertheless, I'm going to have it here just for old times sake :-).

Ingredients (about 2 - 3 servings):

Uncooked toor dhal - 1 cup (using a measuring cup)
Cooking oil - 2 tablespoons
Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
Green chillies - 2 to 3 finely chopped
Urad dhal - 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
Asafoetida - 1/4 teaspoon
Red chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon (vary this to suit your taste)
Coriander powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
Onion - 1 medium sized finely chopped
Tomato - 1 medium sized finely chopped
Curry leaves - a few
Cilantro for garnish - a few strands finely chopped
Salt to taste

Procedure:

1. Pressure cook toor dhal with turmeric powder in 3 cups (using a measuring cup) of water (I normally use dhal and water in the ratio 1:3) for about 3 whistles and set aside.
2. In a pan, heat some cooking oil, pop mustard seeds, add cumin seeds, urad dhal, chopped green chillies, asafoetida and curry leaves and fry until the urad dhal turns light golden brown in color.
3. To step 2, add the chopped onions and fry until they turn golden brown.
4. Add the tomatoes to step 3 and fry until they get cooked.
5. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder and some salt to the contents of the pan from step 4 and fry for a couple of minutes.
6. Transfer the contents from step 5 to the pressure cooked dhal, mix well (you can add some water if the dhal is too thick), bring it to a boil and turn off the stove.
7. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with hot, steamed rice or rotis.

Sometimes, I add about a teaspoon each of finely chopped ginger and finely chopped garlic to step 2 for a variation in flavor.

Rita, an amazing friend of mine, makes this dhal regularly. She uses all kinds of lentils in her recipe and it tastes great! :-).

39 comments:

lata raja said...

That's such a super dish there...you followed your instincts?? LOL that didn't let you down. Loved the colour too.

Anupama said...

@ Lata: Thanks for the encouraging comments even though this is not a unique recipe. I was a novice cook then and was craving for dhal with a lot of flavors in it and this recipe made it come true :-)

Preety said...

that turned out super delicious

Jyoti V said...

Hi,

Happy Ganesh chaturthi to you...
Nice dal.

Anupama said...

@ Preety: Oh yeah :-)

@ Jyoti: Thanks dear. Wish you the same :-)

Unknown said...

Healthy dhal.. looks perfect..

Anupama said...

@ srikars kitchen: Thanks a lot :-)

Anonymous said...

Even if i cook dal frequently,this is a different recipe to me..with the ingredients and prepartion,sure to be a hit..would love to test..thank you anupama.

Anupama said...

@ Ann: Thanks Ann. I hope you like it :-)

Vikis Kitchen said...

I love this dhal. Bet it will taste great with hot rice. Nice recipe.

Anupama said...

@ Viki's Kitchen: Thank you :-)

Urmi said...

I liked your blog very much. I appreciate for the wonderful presentation. I love dal and it looks delicious. I will definitely try it out.
You are welcome in my blogs.

Anupama said...

@ Babli: Thanks a lot for stopping by and the nice words :-). I will stop by yours shortly.

Parita said...

Dal looks so welcoming dear..delicious!

Anupama said...

@ Parita: Thanks a lot dear :-)

Sushma Mallya said...

Good comfort food ...Perfect combo with rice:)

Sudharsan said...

Hey anu... accidentally stumbled upon your blog while searching 4 a recipie...
Firstly, my appreciations for your active interest in presenting the recipies... Keep it up...
The snaps of the recepies are eye-catching... You click them after cooking or is it "Courtesy:Picasa"? :P

Take care.. Keep Cooking..
Sudharsan
Madambakkam

Anupama said...

@ Sudharsan: Hi da... It was a BIG surprise to get a comment from you simply because I had never given my blog url to anyone in the relatives circle... ha ha ha...

Anyway, I take the pics after I cook the dish... probably I should start copyrighting them, but have not got the time to do so... will do that soon I guess... Hope you can get some use out of my blog :-)... take care da...

Anupama said...

@ Sushma Mallya: Thanks Sush :-)

@ Sudharsan: Btw, what recipe were you searching for?

Sudharsan said...

Anu, actually got bored with routine dishes.. we wanted to try something different .. Searched and settled for Capsicum Curry Masala...
Few links below, saw the name Anu and just clicked.. Only after i saw your photo, i realized it was yours..
Thanks to you, I have added your link in Favourites and have a ready reference for recepies of our home food.

-- Sudharsan

Anupama said...

@ Sudharsan: Cool :-). What recipe did you follow for the capsicum curry masala? Email the link to me if it was good. I shall try it out sometime.

Vijitha said...

Yummy dhal! Looks gr8.
I make similar dhal but I pressure cook everything together (dhaal, onions, tomato, spices et al). Bit easier nah! :-)

Sarah Naveen said...

Hey First time here..You have a cute space here...Keep rocking

Cheers!!!

Anupama said...

@ Vijitha Shyam, Sarah Naveen: Thanks guys :-)

kitchen queen said...

The dal looks delicious and good.

Anupama said...

@ kitchen queen: Thank you :-)

Varsha Vipins said...

yumm..this is my all time comfort food..with roti this is just fab..:)

Indian Khana said...

I make the daal this method once in a while....looks gud

Anupama said...

@ Varsha Vipins, Priti: Varsha, it is indeed comfort food :-). Thanks guys :-)

Sanghi said...

Do check my blog for ur award dear..!

Home Cooked Oriya Food said...

looks lovely ...

Chitra said...

Hi anupama, first time in ur blog..U have a nice space..I too make dal in the same way but i add garam masala powder too :) urs is looking nice..WIll try soon !!

Purva Desai said...

this looks really comfort food to enjoy with rice...

Anupama said...

@ Sanghi: Thanks a lot Sanghi. I'll grab it soon :-).

@ Home Cooked Oriya Food, Chitra, Purva Desai: Thanks for stopping by guys and also dropping a comment :-)

kitchen queen said...

Hi visit my blog and collect ur awards. congrats!

priya said...

Hi, you are having a grt blog with mouth watering dishes:)
Dhal looks grt , would try it soon. Following you :)

Anupama said...

@ Priya: Thanks for stopping by Priya :-). You have a very nice space too with a boat load of mouthwatering recipes.

my kitchen said...

Hi,First time here.You have a nice blog with Delicious recipes.Do visit my blog when u find time

Anupama said...

@ my kitchen: Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment :-). I'll stop by your space soon.