DALS… Can’t have enough of them! Must-Try recipes from Across India
India is one of the few countries that is blessed with variety in almost every aspect, food being the most obvious one. The unquestionable love and celebration of good food has been bringing people together for many years, and when we think of good food, one of our most loved preparations comes to mind – the quintessential Dal.
From Dal Makhani to Panchratna Dal, it is the undying love for this flavoursome and versatile staple that most Indian households include in our daily diet. And each region in the country has its own favourite way of preparing them.
Gujaraati Dal
Made with a distinct blend of masalas, toor daal and vegetables, what sets this dish a class apart is the use of flavourful peanuts which gives it a completely unique taste. This spicy, sweet and sour dal is light and thin in consistency and a staple in all Guajarati homes in West India.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Yellow Pigeon Peas (Toor Dal)
- 1 tbsp Peanuts
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ cup chopped tomato
- 1 green chilli
- ½ tsp Ginger paste/freshly grated ginger
- 1 tbsp jaggery
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander
- Salt to taste
For tempering:
- 1 tbsp Oil/Ghee
- ¼ tsp Mustard seeds
- ¼ tsp Cumin seeds
- 6-7 Fenugreek Seeds
- 1 clove
- ½ inch Cinnamon Stick
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 dried red chilli
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 1 pinch asafoetida
Instructions:
- Wash the Dal well and soak for an hour. Drain the water and add the dal to a medium-sized pan along with 4 cups of water. Boil well until fully cooked. Separately also boil the peanuts.
- Add 2 cups of water in the boiled dal and blend well while mashing the dal. Keep on low heat and add turmeric, red chilli powder, salt, ginger, green chilli, tomatoes and jaggery. Mix well and let it simmer for 10 mins. Add water if required.
- In a separate pan heat oil, add mustard, cumin and fenugreek seeds. Add bay leaf, cinnamon, clove and dried red chilli. Add curry leaves and asafoetida. Add this tempering to the simmering dal and mix well.
- Add the lemon juice, boiled peanuts and chopped cilantro. Mix and serve.