Friday, November 20, 2009

Khatti-Mithi Dal - Gujarati Dal


This dal as the name refers is little khatti (sour) little mithi(sweet). It is another way of preparing our Tuvar dal ( Arhar, toor, Split red gram). I love this recipe for its simplicity and ease of preparation. Another thing I like about it is I can use peanuts in this. So its an easy and healthy dish.

This is also known as Gujarati dal. This is my MIL 's recipe. I did tweak it a little though. Had to learn this dal as my husband simply loves it. For a North Indian this was a different way to make it. I know when we just married and whenever I made Tuvar dal , my husband would just sneak in the kitchen and add a little sugar or jaggery to the dal when it was simmering. I would think silly me why does my dal taste sweet..must be the water here in the US. Until I found out..Since then decided to make this dal once in a while just like his mom did...This is his Comfort food. Now even I and my kids love it .

Now for many of us this could be an acquired taste as it does require a little jaggery in it. But if you skip it it will still taste good.



Ingredients:
1) 1 cup Tuvar Dal
2) 1/3 cup peanuts
3) 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
4) 4-5 green chillies slit
5) 1 inch piece of ginger chopped
6) 1 piece of jaggery around 2 tablespoons (optional)
7) 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
8) 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
9) 1/2 teaspoon cumin-cilantro powder
10) 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
11) 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
12) 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds(methi)
13) pinch of asaf0etida (hing)
14) 4-5 curry leaves
15) 1-2 whole red chillies
16) salt to taste
17) 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (adjust the amount to taste)
18) Oil for tempering


Preparation
1)Wash Tuvar dal in a pressure cooker and add peanuts,chopped tomatoes, ginger, green chillies, and about 6 cups of waters. Add Salt and turmeric.

2) Pressure cook until dal is slightly overcooked so it looks like its well blended.
3) Now add a piece of crushed jaggery to this dal. Cook for 2-3 minutes till the jaggery dissoves.
4) Lets get ready for the tempering. I always like to keep the ingredients handy so I don't forget to add anything and there's less clutter on my kitchen counter and lastly my tempering doesn't get burnt trying to find the various ingredients .
5) Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a tempering pan or small pan. Add mustard seeds. When they splutter add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds(methi). Fry for about half a minute then add whole chillies. Followed by curry leaves and then add hing. Remove pan from the flame and while oil is still hot add red chilli powder and cumin-cilantro powder. Add the tempering/seasoning to the dal.
6) Cook the dal for about 2-3 minutes. Add the freshly squeezed lime juice. Garnish with freshly chopped Cilantro.
7) Ready to serve with Rice, Papad and Pickle.
Now its Award Time :
My dear Blogger Friend Sangeetha @ Kothiyavunu. com has been kind enough to let her fellow bloggers share this award with her. She received it from our dear fellow blogger PreethVijay @ Luscious Indian Recipes.

Thank you both, Happy Blogging.
In the Spirit of Sharing and giving let me dedicate this recipe to all my fellow bloggers.

14 comments:

  1. Dolly this is a great recipe- I've grown up eating Gujarati daal so this is the ultimate home/comfort food for me. Thank you for bringing back sweet old memories for me xx

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  2. Dear Sanjana- Thanks a lot for the comment. Its a great testimonial from someone who grew up eating this dal...

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  3. yummy dal in that lovely colourful bowl,nice recipe dolly

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  4. Looks yummy and delicious..I really don't know much about gujarati food but only a few basic one. I just enjoyed looking at the way you prepared your food..nice presentation..Keep rocking dear.

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  5. Dal looks terrific..
    love to have it now with some parathas....
    Ooh...m drooling

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  6. Nice step by step presentation and awesome dhal.

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  7. Dear Dolly
    I am glad that I tagged your blog. I have never tried Gujarati Dal so far but eaten plenty. In Bengal we make a strong sweet and sour dal with Tuvar and with a simple Mustard , dry chili seasoning.
    I am going to make this Dal as Bongs are genetically engineered to find any thing which is connected to sweet taste.
    The photos are superb
    Have a nice weekend

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  8. Awesome dal Dolly and a new recipe to my diary too. Loved the step by step breakdown.

    Chitchat
    http://chitchatcrossroads.blogspot.com/

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  9. Hi Dolly,

    U have a got a wonderful space with lovely illustated clicks.

    Kindly pick up the award from my blog dear

    with luv,
    ArunaManikandan
    http://ensamayalkuripugal.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Dolly, first time here and the dal looks droolworthy, though I must admit i do not have much of a sweet tooth, Can surely reduce that and make it.
    do drop by when time permits.
    http://cooking-goodfood.blogspot.com
    take care.

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  11. Thank you Sanjana, Sushma,Sangeetha,Sarah,Shanthi,Ushnish,Ms.Chitchat,Aruna and Pari for all your wonderful comments. You have all really made my day today.

    Thanks Aruna and Pari for your 1st time here. I'm soon going to visit ur blogs too and not to mention my very 1st award from Aruna.

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  12. This is one delightful recipe.I don't make it myself but tasted it from my friends.But now after your step by step photos i am goning to make it soon!Thx for your comments on my page!

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  13. What a great recipe you have made, it looks so yummy and delicious.Thanks for sharing this with us.
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    ReplyDelete
  14. This is the one of the best delicious recipe of Khatti-Mithi Dal - Gujarati Dal. Now, after your step by step method i am going to make it soon! Thanks for share your recipe with us! if you want to buy moong dal the click on link Buy moong dal online at Best Price.

    ReplyDelete