Dry Urad dal

                   On our trip to Kashmir, the first night that we stayed at our hotel we ordered for whatever best they could serve and they brought in a plate full of tandoori rotis and a bowl full of dal. The next two days that we stayed there we had nothing but rotis and the dry urad dal, the recipe that which I am sharing today. In my recipe, I have made the dal completely dry, however the one we had at the hotel was of a slight gravy consistency.

                 Dry Urad dal is much like the  Khadi dal (lentils with dill) recipe that I shared earlier here in all cases khadi meaning firm. Moong dal or yellow dal is also used in making khadi dal, the recipe for which I will share soon, however today's recipe that uses Urad dal is a north Indian style. In South India it is mostly used for tempering rice and curry dishes along with chana dal and gives a crunchy taste but, in this recipe it is soft and completely cooked. Dry Urad dal tastes best with chapatis. The dash of lemon at the end does the entire magic so don't skip it.

Ingredients:

1. Urad dal - 1 cup
2. Onion - 1 no
3. Tomato - 2 nos
4. Garlic cloves - 3 to 4 nos
5. Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
7. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
8. Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
9. Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
10. Green chili - 3 nos
11. Coriander leaves - few
12. Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
13. Salt - to taste
14. Oil - 2 tbsp 

Method:

• Wash and soak the dal for 20 to 25 minutes.
•  Pressure cook the dal with salt, turmeric powder and just enough water for two whistles.
• Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, green chili and chopped garlic cloves. Saute for a minute.
• Add chopped onion and saute till translucent.
• Add chopped tomatoes and cook till pulpy.
• Add red chili powder, coriander powder and garam masala. Mix well.
• Add the cooked dal to the pan, mix thoroughly and let all the water dry up completely.
• Add coriander leaves and lemon juice. Stir again and serve hot.

                    If you are looking for more such simple side dishes to go by your chapatis for everyday meals then do check out Cabbage sabzi, Aloo matar til, Gobi matar, Eggplant & potato curry and Dondakayal curry (Ivy gourd curry) from My Mom's Kitchen.

Do try and share your thoughts with us...

Happy Cooking!!!