This month the chosen dish for Indian Cooking Challenge is Gujarati Dal from the the Ayurvedic cookbook –Sukham Ayu.This book is authored by Jigyasa & Pratibha ,and it is the Winner of Best Health and Nutrition Book in the World 2009 – second place.You can find healthy recipes and food-tips , Ayurvedic insights.
I am so glad that Srivalli chose such an authentic and tasty recipe for our challenge this month.
This recipe makes use of kokum and dried dates , both of which I have not used till now in my dishes.So I hunted for them and heard that it was available in the wholesale ‘folk medicine’ store and got a little of each. The dal is easy to make and is definitely a very tasty one.
Gujarati Dal |
If ,like me, you are new to kokum and dried dates, here is what they look like…
Dried Dates |
Kokum |
I was wondering if the dal would taste very sweet because we were supposed to add jaggery and dried dates.But it was not too sweet,very mild and tasty.I followed the recipe exactly as it was given but just changed the measurements.
Here is the recipe…
I used:
Toor dal – 1/4 a cup
Dry soft Kokum – a small piece
Turmeric powder – a pinch
Jaggery,powdered – 1 teaspoon
Dry dates – 2 numbers[ soak in hot water and cut into half]
Drumstick – 1, cut in 2″ pieces
Yam cut in 1″ piece – a handful
Groundnuts -1 teaspoon
Cumin powder-1 teaspoon
Coriander powder- 1 teaspoon
Garam masala powder- 1/4 teaspoon
Green chilli, slit- 1
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves to garnish
For tempering:
Cow’s ghee – 1 teaspoon
Mustard seeds – 1/2 teaspoon
Fenugreek seeds – 1/4 teaspoon
Cumin seeds -1/4 teaspoon
Dry red chillies -1, broken into bits
Asafoetida powder -a pinch
Curry leaves -a few
- Wash the toor dal and soak for half an hour.Pressure cook with turmeric powder and enough waste till it is well cooked.Churn well and keep aside.
- Mean while, cook the vegetables and keep aside.
- Heat a thick bottomed pan and put in the churned dal, boiled vegetables,kokum,dry dates ,groundnuts ,jaggery, green chilli,cumin powder, coriander powder, salt and simmer for 15 minutes
- If the dal is very thick add some water and adjust the consistency.
- Heat another small pan and put in cow’s ghee.
- Add the mustard and fenugreek seeds.
- When it splutters add cumin seeds, red chillies, asafoetida and curry leaves.
- Pour this over the simmering dal and mix well.Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with garam masala and coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with rice and Roti.
Gujarati Dal |
I am sure you will agree with me that this is a very simple preparation and you have to try this out to really feel how good it tastes.Very simple dal full of flavor.
Bon Appetit…
Such a beautiful dal PJ, enjoyed and relished this dal,will post mine this evening..
Dal looks very nice…it was in my to do list from such a long time…I think its d time to make it..
Wow….you have really excelled today. I feel right at home with this Dall!! We love it so much that I have to make extra to enjoy it fully!! Only difference is that I use oil instead of ghee.
wow what a yummy dish… love it dear…
Dish Name Starts with F
Learning-to-cook
Regards,
Akila
I am just making this tomorrow!
What a lovely dal–it's amazing to see the variations achieved through the use of the same recipe.
great flavours in this Dal here
Dal looks good..good presentation too..I am still looking for substitutes for yam..shall try to make something by end of day today..
Hi
Gujarati dal looks delicious and tasty. Your have a innovative and wondeful blog. I am happy to follow you. I like to invite you to visit my blog.
cheers
rani
such a healthy delight
its a beautiful daal…its a shame that I couldn't do it!…I am sure it goes good with everything!
Smitha
http://smithasspicyflavors.blogspot.com/
Love it , dal looks fabulous with beautiful spread.
PJ that plater looks so inviting and dal yummmmmm I enjoyed it..
Though it is a simple one, I enjoyed it making the most among the ICC challenges, besides manoharam. 🙂
Full of flavor and zest.
Very yummy dhal..
Pj, Thanks for posting a picture of Kokum – I have tried at Whole foods and several other grocery stores – no body seemed to know — Now I know what I am looking for at least lookswise… Yummy looking dal
Beautiful spread PJ..glad you liked this ..
Such a comforting dish !
yummy dal & healthy one too
I enjoyed this ICC….didn't think of asking for kokum in a nattu marunthu shop….so ended up using tamarind.
Healthy dal! I could not make it this time.. will try making it sometime.. seeing all your ICC posting, I am regretting not participating in this month's ICC
http://www.myspicykitchen.net