Hyderabadi Khatti Dal

     

             Dals form an integral part of Indian cuisine and similarly Hyderabadi Khatti Dal plays an important part in the diet of Hyderabadis. Come Friday and every Hyderabadi house has khatti dal and Tala hua ghosht (Mutton Fry) on their lunch plate with rice. This combo is a made in heaven types, it can never go wrong.

           While there are many dal recipes which involve many ingredients and raise the grandeur, simple plain dal has its own unique place. It is equally fulfilling and easy to make without any fuss and when you are out of ideas make this with Tala hua ghosht enjoy it with rice and don't forget to fry some papads. And if you are a vegetarian you can certainly skip the mutton and enjoy the dal with rice.

            The dish is named khatti dal "khatti" meaning sour in English and it is named so because of the use of tamarind which is sour and also tomatoes that add to the sourness but don't worry it does not taste too bitter or sour it is a tangy recipe that you can easily bear and enjoy.

           Most people prepare khatti dal using toor dal or other dals but My Mom prepares it with Moong dal. Moong dal compared to other dals is one of the low carb pulses available and forms a good source of protein for vegetarians.

          By now, My Mom also enjoys the part that I click her prepared dishes and share her recipes to the world and so I get to enjoy more time in the kitchen clicking more pics.

Ingredients:

1. Moong dal - 200gms
2. Tamarind juice - 70gms
3. Tomato - 2 to 3 nos
4. Ginger garlic paste - 1tbsp
5. Red Chili powder - 1tbsp
6. Turmeric powder - 1tsp
7. Green chilies - 5 to 6 nos
8. Salt - to taste
9. Curry leaves  - 1 to 2 sprigs
10. Coriander leaves - few

For Tadka:

1. Dried red chilies - 5nos
2. Jeera - 1tsp
3. Garlic cloves - 6 to 7 (optional)
4. Oil - 3tbsp
5. Curry leaves - 1 to 2 sprigs

Method:

• Soak the dal in water for about half an hour wash and drain.
• Soak the tamarind in water to extract the juice.
• In a pressure cooker add dal, chopped tomatoes, slit green chilies, ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder,  and red chili powder along with a cup of water and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.

Dal after cooking in pressure cooker for 5 to 10 mins

• After removing the cooker from stove mash the dal using a wooden masher

Mashing dal with wooden masher

• Now again place the cooker on stove and add salt, tamarind juice and some water along with coriander leaves and curry leaves and cook it for about 5 to 10 mins. Remove from stove.
• Meanwhile, in a kadai heat oil and add all the ingredients listed under tadka.

Tadka ingredients

• Now remove the kadai and add the prepared tadka or bagaar as we call it, to the dal. Give a slight stir and serve warm.

I am sure you will like it a lot. It is simple and easy to make and very healthy too.

You can also accompany this dal with tasty Liver Fry, Mutton Kebabs or Chicken stir fry.

If you wish to try more recipes using different kinds of dals then do check out Chole puri, Dahi wade, Khadi dal, Masala vada and Shami kebab from My Mom's Kitchen.

Do share your views with me in the comments section below.

Happy Cooking!