Khatti Dal (Dal Hyderabadi)

Khatti Dal (Dal Hyderabadi) - is a very tangy and spicy dal preparation that will leave you wanting for more to slurp on :) This dal recipe fell into my lap from another foodie member Aman Kahlon who is a great cook himself.  It looked delicious by just looking at the recipe! I tried it immediately and simply loved it, it was finger licking good! Since then it became a regular curry in my kitchen!

As we know dal is a very important lentil used in Indian cooking, it is always nice to try new preparations and hope that everyone in the family likes it :), so that we can make it more often! Change is always welcome and yes khatti dal is one of them!

Originally from Hyderabad, the showstopper ingredient is tamarind, along with coarsely crushed coriander seeds. It gives that much needed fresh taste and flavors to the dal making it very special. Goes perfectly with the plain rice or jeera rice. You can change the consistency as you wish, keep it thick if serving with rotis or thin if serving with rice.

Let us take a look at the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup tovar dal (or yellow moong dal, masoor dal)
• 1 tsp turmeric( haldi )
• 3/4 tsp chili powder
• 10 curry leaves
• 2-3 red dry chillies
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 inch ginger crushed
• 3/4 tsp tamarind pulp
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tsp ghee
  

Preparation:

• Pressure cook dal with 2 cups of water, pinch turmeric, and ginger for 2 whistles or on stove top till dal is cooked mushy.
• In a mortar and pestle crush lightly coriander seeds and cumin seeds. In a bowl dissolve turmeric and chili powder in water to make a paste and keep aside.
• In a pan, heat oil, add mustard seeds till it splutters, then add curry leaves, pinch asafoetida, dry red chillies, then coriander/cumin and sauté quickly. Now add the mixture of chili and turmeric powder into the tempering. 
• Mix everything and pour the cooked dal into it. Mix and bring it to a boil.
• Add some water into tamarind pulp and drop it in the dal as you keep stirring. Add salt and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes. 
• Garnish with cilantro! Serve hot with plain rice or jeera rice!!

You may also like Dalitoy, Vali Bhaji(Randai), Bamboo Shoot Curry...

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Notes:* Khatti Dal may appear more yellow if you add less chilli powder, I like to add more and my chilli powder imparts lovely color, hence you can see it more orange :)

Health Benefits: Lentil is a mighty member of the legume family, it's a good source of cholesterol-lowering fibre. It has a good amount of folate and magnesium which is needed for a healthy and loving heart :) It replenishes our iron stores. Light on body, a good source of protein for vegetarians. Lentils Rule :)