Monday, October 21, 2013

Simple Dal / Amti

This recipe is for a simple dal or amti for those lazy afternoons when all you want is a bowl of steaming hot rice with dal and a dollop of ghee on top. Add to this sabzi, a little achar and a papad and it makes a complete meal. India has many versions or ways of making dal, in fact each state may have multiple versions of dal. The best thing about dal is that it can be made simply with very few seasonings or elaborate and rich with herbs and spices. The best thing about dal is that it is a poor person's as well as a rich person's food. It can be had as a soup, as part of a main course and as dessert.
Ingredients
Dal - 1/2 cup
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida - 2 pinches
Green chilli - 2
Jaggery - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 3 to 4
Salt as per taste
Ghee - 1tsp
Wash and soak the dal for 30 minutes. Add turmeric to the dal and pressure cook for 3 whistles. Take the dal out once the pressure is released and heat once again with asafoetida, salt, slit green chillies, jaggery and curry leaves. Let it boil a couple of times. Check the taste for salt and other seasonings. Once done take it off heat.

When ready to serve add the ghee to the dal and its ready to be taken to the table.

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