Dalitoy (konkani style dal)

                                                                                 

Dali toy is the konkani style dal It's the comfort food for konkani people just the way "dal fry/dal tadka"is to north indians and "varan"to maharashtrians.I inherited this recipe from my aai who is native from karnataka.Actually it's the simple dal preparation without complex flavors or masalas.Dalitoy accompanied with rice and Batata fodi  (potato rava fry) is the ultimate combination.The asafoetida,ginger and green chilli add a prominant flavor to this simple dal preparation.Friends do try this simple and healthy dal recipe.

          Ingredients (serves 3-4)

• 1 cup toor dal
• 3-4 green chillies(slit)
• 1 inch piece ginger(crushed or grated)
• 1/4 th tsp turmeric powder
• 2-3 tsp ghee or coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 red chillies(I used bedgi chillies)
• 2-3 pinches asafoetida
• 4-5 curry leaves
• Salt(as per taste)
• Water ( as per requirement)

          
          Method of preparation

• Soak tur dal in water for atleast 1 hour.
• Cook dal in enough water,add slit green chillies and grated ginger while cooking.
• Once the dal is cooked, mix it nicely using a whisk.At this point add little water if required to adjust the consistency.
• In another pan heat ghee/oil and give tempering with asafoetida,mustard seeds,curry leaves and red chillies.
• Now add the cooked dal in the pan slowly.
• Add turmeric powder and salt,mix well.
• Let it cook for another 3-4 minutes.
• Turn off the flame and serve hot with rice.

          
          Note

• You can garnish this dal with some chopped coriander and grated coconut but it's optional.
• Some people don't add turmeric in the dal but it's again a personal choice.
• You can also add crushed garlic while tempering if you like.

         Happy cooking !

Methi dal ( Dal with fenugreek leaves )

                                                   

Methi dal

Once I happen to visit a Hydrabadi mess with my husband, in that restaurant, in the veg thali they served the methi dal. Hence I thought of preparing methi dal in my own style. 

Dal is the staple food at home but just to make healthy twist to the dal I thought of preparing methi dal ,as sometimes we get bored by eating the same dal tadka recipe.

I know many people know about the benefits of methi leaves, though few people eat methi leaves in their food regularly but still there will be some people who don’t like the taste of this leafy vegetable.

Methi dal is the best way to make these fussy eaters consume methi leaves. Methi leaves are bitter in taste but the health benefits are really very sweet.

        Ingredients

• 1 cup Tur dal(pigeon pea lentils)
• Water (as per requirement)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1-2 tbsp oil or ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon grated coconut
• 1 medium size onion (finely chopped)
• ½ inch ginger (finely chopped)
• 5 to 6 garlic (finely chopped)
• 1-2 green chilies (slit)
• 1 to 2 dry red bedgi chilies
• 1 medium tomato (finely chopped)
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• A pinch of asafetida
• 1 cup fresh fenugreek/methi leaves (cleaned &chopped)
• Salt (as per taste)
• jaggery (around 1 tsp)

       Method of preparation

• Pressure cook the dal,methi leaves,tomato,onion,ginger, green chilies turmeric and water till the 3 whistles.
• Once the pressure cooker cools down, open the lid and gently mix all the ingredients with the help of whisk.
• Add salt,jaggery,grated coconut and red chili powder and mix again with the ladle.
• Give tempering with some oil and red chili, cumin,mustard seeds, asafetida and chopped garlic.
• Pour this mixture in the dal or add the cooked dal to this tempering mixture. Add water as per requirement.Stir very well and simmer the dal for 7 to 8 minutes more.
• Serve the methi dal steaming hot with steamed rice.

       Note

• In the above  recipe i have used tur dal, but you can also make this dal with moong dal and chana dal . You can also use a combination of two to three lentils.
• I have cooked dal ,methi leaves ,tomato and onion together to give integrated taste to the dal.As per personal choice you can cook dal and other ingredients separately.                                                                                                                                                                                                         Happy Cooking !