MAHARASHTRIAN AMTI / VARAN

 Rice and Amti / Varan Bhaat is a kind of must in many household in Maharashtra. Amti / Dal is a simple lip smacking dish that can be had everyday, simple but great flavours. It has a sweet, sour and spicy taste. The meaning of amti is “ any curry or dal curry which has acidic ingredients, in this case its tamarind”. So this Maharashtrian Amti has a touch of sourness. Normally, Amti uses some spices most important being Goda Masala, a key spice in many Maharashtrian dishes. Amti without onion or garlic is a Konkani version of amti. That version of amti is also delicious in its own way but I repeatedly make this style of amti at home. There are different types of dal prepared like dal tada, dal fry, kolhapuri dal, katachi amti. But this version is simple and uses fewer ingredients, spiced only with green chillies / red chilli powder and goda masala. This dal preparation can be done in a jiffy if you have the toor dal precooked. This is a flavorful and delicious yet comfort food. Yes dal chawal is a real comfort food……!!!! So let’s start making Maharashtrian Amti / Dal. Do try and let me know if you like it or if any suggestions are there.

INGREDIENTS:

2 Cups Cooked Toor / Tur/ Arhar Dal

½ teaspoon Mustard Seeds

½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds

½ teaspoon Asafoetida

Curry Leaves

1 finely chopped Tomato

1-2 Green Chillies, chopped

1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder

1 teaspoon Goda Masala

Salt as needed

1 teaspoon Jaggery

2 teaspoon Tamarind Pulp [optional] [see notes]

2 tablespoon Grated Coconut [optional]

Water as needed

Finely Chopped Coriander

2 teaspoon Oil

METHOD:

 STEP 1 – Wash dal 3-4 times under running water.

Pressure cook it for 3 whistles.

When the pressure released, mash it with a masher. Keep aside.

STEP 2 – Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them pop up.

STEP 3 – Add asafoetida and curry leaves with green chillies [if using].

STEP 4 – Fry them for few seconds and then add chopped tomato in it. Fry tomatoes for 2 minutes.

STEP 5 – Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, goda masala and mix well.

STEP 6 – Now add cooked dal in it and give a nice stir till dal get well combined with spices.

Add water as per your desired consistency and mix well.

STEP 7 – Add jaggery, salt and tamarind at this stage. Mix well.

 STEP 8 – Boil dal on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes. Check the consistency of it and add the seasoning if needed.

STEP 9 – Add finely chopped coriander in it and give a nice mix and your amti is ready. Switch off the heat and serve it hot.

Serve hot amti with steamed rice topped with lots of homemade ghee. You can serve it with any Indian flatbread like chapatti / parantha or serve it with baflya [bati / batti ] like I served and enjoy.

NOTES: You can use kokam or amchur powder or lemon juice instead of tamarind pulp.