Dal Fry

This is definitely one of my most favourite Dal recipes. I still remember as a kid Mum would make this on special occasions or on weekends. A regular meal at our house would consists of rice & plain dal, a nice Maharastrian salad or koshimbir and vegetable or bhaji to go with fresh home made rotis. To finish off a glass of cool soothing butter milk. I think this is the first thing I learnt to cook from my Mom as I love her Dal Fry very much. So here it is! Hope you like it too.

Ingredients:

• 1Cup Tur Dal or Pigeon pea lentils
• 2tbsps. Ghee or butter
• 1tsp. Cumin seeds
• Pinch of asafoetida
• 2-3 Dry Red chilli (optional)
• 1 Large onion finely chopped
• 1-2 Small tomatoes finely chopped
• 6-8 Garlic cloves finely chopped
• 1 tsp. Turmeric powder
• 1-2tsp. Red chilli powder
• 2tsp Coriander powder
• 1tsp. Cumin powder
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash and soak the lentils in water for 15-20 minutes. If you have a pressure cooker use that to cook the dal. If  not, add the dal in a large pot, add 2 cups water and let it cook for 15 minutes. Its the same technique as cooking rice. When all the water is absorbed the lentils are cooked.
2. In another pan, add ghee with a few drops of oil. When the ghee melts add the cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add a pinch of asafoetida and dry red chillies.  Now add the chopped onion. Cook till translucent.
3. Next add the chopped garlic and stir everything. You will be hit with the worlds best aroma. Garlic and Ghee are a match made in food heaven. At this stage add turmeric, chilli powder, cumin powder and coriander powder. These two earthy spices Cumin & Coriander always go together.
4. Add some salt to taste.
5. Let all the spices cook together. Next add the chopped tomatoes and let them cook for 5 minutes.
6. Now add the cooked dal or lentils to this mixture. Stir and mix well. Add some water and cook covered for 10 minutes. Keep stirring in between.

Serve with rotis or plain rice.