Wednesday 19 September 2007

Simple Dal

Dal which is eaten in Indian home almost everyday...


Sunita from Sunita's World is hosting "Think Spice..Think.." event..

This month's spice is "Mustard seeds"

When i read about the event i said wow mustard that is easy ...we use almost every day mustard in Indian kitchen. But it took me almost 20days to post this :-)))

Talking abouy mustard, when i was at home, if we dropped mustard seeds in the floor she was very angry with us. Apparently she believes that if you drop mustard that there is going to be a argument in the house. Don't know if it is correct but i guees it is , because when my mom said it we will be grumbling about her believes and then there was sure to be a argument about it :-))))
Dal (also spelled dhal, dahl, or daal) (Devanagari दाल) is a preparation of pulses which have been stripped of their outer hulls and split. It also refers to the thick, spicy stew prepared.

Dal is eaten in every Indian home atleast once a day.
In South India dal is used to make the dish called sambar. That post is for a another time

The word Dal derives from the Sanskrit term to split.

This is the ways my sister makes her dal mostly. I think she makes really delicious vegetarian food. This is her recipe which she gave to me years back when i wanted to make dal.

But I have to admit i have made this a lot of time but i always remark it doesn't taste so good as when she makes it.
I guess i don't have th Kaipunyam like her to make these dishes.
Can't complain my hubby and daughter says it taste good. It is just me who complains that it is not tasting as good as my big sisters dal.

I am sure most of you all know how to make dal. But i had to post it as there was mustrad seeds in it :-)))

Dal, Chillies, tomatoe etc...

Onions, dry chillies, cumin, MUSTARD


1 cup dal
3 tomatoes chopped.
3 chillies.
1/2 tsp turmeric.
1 tsp chillie powder.
a marbler size tamarind ( i add a bit if water to make it to a paste)

For Seasoning.
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds.
1 tsp cummin
1 onions chopped
2 dry red chillies
Few curry leaves.

Cook dal with 2 cups of water, tomatoes, chillies, turmeric and chillie powder till the dal is soft.
Now add the tamarind paste and cook for few more minutes.

Heat in a pan the oil for seasoning add the mustard seed and when it pops add the cummin seeds, then the onions and the rest of the ingridients. Fry all of them till the onions are soft and add this to the dal . Stir and serve with rice or roti.

22 comments:

Dori said...

It's so simple but so good...I could eat it everyday too!

Laavanya said...

What a simple but satisfying dish.

swapna susarla said...

looks very simple!!

FH said...

Don't know about about argument if you spill mustard but there will be a big mess (with tiny seeds) to clean up for sure!:D
Dal looks yum, comfort food with rice and papads!:)

sunita said...

Thanks for the lovely entry...we too love our dal.

Rina said...

I too think that way sometimes "Paati madiri Kairasi / Kaipuniyam illiyeh!!!!!!! No matter I follow the same recipe I can't achieve the taste of how my grandmother cooked it. My hubby says I cook better, but I know I didn't get it.

Nice write up and display.

Rajitha said...

the dal looks good...i agree with you...it is hard to get the taste of the original recipe...my sis cooks great too...and i am always trying to imitate the taste..but sadly fail

Cynthia said...

I love dal and can eat it every day.

Seena said...

This one I make with rice, chapathis..very simple but too tasty..

Kamini said...

To me dal and rice is the ultimate confort foo and the simpler the better. Very nice looking dal.

Finla said...

Meeso i like to eat it also everyday.

Thanks Swapna. That is me simple and easy :-)))

Asha when i was writting the post i coudn't get the word spill, I also love dal, but i make it once a while.

Thanks sunita. I hope you have lot of enrty for the event

Rina my sentiments exacltly.I am sure our kids will tell the same in time. Atleast i hope so :-)))

Same here rajitha. My sis cooks great veggie recipes and i cook Non Veg recipes, you know i always say i have a carnivorous hubby and daughter ;-)

Cynthia you too. We should make a dal eating club :-))

Seena mostly simple things are delicious

Thankx Kamini.

Chef Jeena said...

Happy, I love your picture it looks real good! I have a similar silver dish :D So I can really picture me eating this recipe! :)

Manju said...

i never knew thats wut dal meant!!!

Kribha said...

My granny used to say the same thing too about that mustard thing. Anyway, dal is such a comfort food and so nice to see your version.

sra said...

What's kaipunyam? Luck of hand, turn of hand will be a better translation, i guess.

Namratha said...

Aww come on Happy cook, who said you don't have Kaipunyam? you sure do..Dal looks great..love the kadai:)

Finla said...

Jeena, isn't it great that we've the same pan. Next time when u make dal you can serve in it, so you don't havr to picture u eating it, u can make it a reality :-))

Superchef that is what i say most of the day we learn new things about food because of different blogs :)

Kribha, you nanny too. My mom was really upset if we spilled it. Come to think about it she have lot os these things like never cut the nails after the sun is down etc...

Sra i think translated is like luck of hand, i should check it with my sis for the exact english translation

Thankx narmatha, that is exactly what hubby dear says, but then he knows if he say something else he'll have to starve for the next days ha ha ha ha

Lissie said...

i love dal with hot rice and ghee...so yumm!

Padma said...

I like any kinda of dal and your recipe looks so simple and easy..
Delicious with jeera rice

. sammi . said...

Hello, I have been looking for a nice dal recipe..I will be sure to make this it looks delicious! :)

The Passionate Palate said...

I may eat Italian 360 days out of the year, but my other comfort food is Indian - and dal is definitely at the top of my Indian food list for comfort foods. Great looking recipe. I will try it soon.

Finla said...

lissie me too love it with rice

padma thankyou. I always eat it with plain rice, maybe i should try once with jeera rice

sammi thankyou, let me know if you liked it

the passionate palate I love italian food.... but then i love also India food ;-))))