andhra tomato dal

By Nandu

Ingredients

• Ingredients (american measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)
• 1 cup arhar dal/tuvar dal/pigeon pea lentils
• 2 medium tomatoes - approx 1 to 1.25 cups chopped tomatoes
• 1 small onion - approx 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 green chili - chopped
• 10-12 curry leaves/kadi patta
• 1/2 inch ginger + 3-4 garlic - crushed into a paste in a mortar-pestle
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds/rai
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• a pinch of asafoetida/hing
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp red chili powder
• 2.5 cups water for pressure cooking
• 2 tbsp oil or ghee

Preparation

Step 1

Instructions
pick, rinse and soak the arhar dal or pigein pea lentils for 15-20 mins.
heat oil or ghee in the pressure cooker.
add the mustard seeds first and let them start making popping sounds.
then add the cumin seeds and allow them to crackle.
add the onions, curry leaves and green chilies. saute the onions till translucent.
add the ginger and garlic paste and saute for 30 seconds on a low to medium flame.
now add the tomatoes, red chili powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida and salt and saute for 2-3 minutes on a low flame.
drain the lentils and add. stir and then add water.
pressure cook on high flame for 7-8 whistles or till the dal is cooked completely.
when the pressure settles down, remove the lid.
mash the dal lightly and add ¾ or 1 cup water to the dal to get a medium consistency. stir well.
simmer the dal for 5-7 minutes on a low to medium flame till you get a dal which is neither thin nor thick but having a medium consistency.
check the taste and add more salt if required.
garnish the tomato dal with coriander leaves.
serve tomato dal hot with steamed rice, pickle and vegetable salad.
Notes
to make this dal without a pressure cooker - follow the same recipe method. however, add 4 to 4.5 cups water and cover & cook the lentils till they become soft and thoroughly cooked. there should be no separate grains visible. the consistency of the lentils should be smooth and creamy. add more water if required. use a deep pot while cooking as the lentils start frothing while cooking. if the mixture froths up and starts coming out, then remove the lid and cook.