Dal - As we like it!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup split red gram, washed and soaked in 3 cups water for an hour
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 big tomato, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 inch gingerroot, peeled and minced
• 2 green chilies, deseeded and slit
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oil
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 pinch asafetida powder
• 2/3 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
• 2 sprigs curry leaves
• 1 chicken stock cube or vegetable stock cube
• 1/2 an onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
• 3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (to garnish)
• 2 teaspoons lime juice

Directions

1. 1

   Boil the dal in the water it soaks in with the next 8 ingredients, in a vessel or pressure cooker till cooked (my pressure cooker takes 1 whistle to cook the dal) In the meanwhile keep the rest of the ingredients ready.

2. 2

   When the dal is cooked heat a tblsp of oil in a kadai/ vessel Add the asafetida and the mustard, cumin and curry leaves in quick succession.

3. 3

   Add the garlic as soon as the mustard splutters.

4. 4

   Then add the onion slices and fry till light brown.

5. 5

   Then add the stock cube and saute.

6. 6

   When you get the aromas add the chopped tomato and then the spice powders.

7. 7

   Add the cooked dal and stir to mix well.

8. 8

   When heated through add the lime juice.

9. 9

   (One tsp at a time Taste and add some more if you feel like it you can go beyond 2 tsp if your taste buds give you the go ahead) Garnish with coriander leaves (we really add a lot of these but I have only put and serve hot over rice).

10. 10

    Try a dry meat dish as an accompaniment.