PHODNICHE VARAN

This is yet another simple, basic and easy recipe for the beginners. Its a good side dish for those who don't like plain tuvar dal. In central plains, tuvar dal is a big part of the diet. A meal without tuvar dal is unheard of in our home. Dal supplies most of the protein in the vegetarian Indian diet. Very delicious and requires very few ingredients and ready in few minutes. This is also very useful and handy recipe when you are in a hurry and have to prepare some food quickly. You can prepare it with leftover tuvar dal also. Or the best option when your fridge is empty on weekends and want to make something healthy and quick.This is my aai's version of making "Phodniche Varan". This is a family recipe of sorts. This dal was prepared mostly on weekends mostly with kelache shikran in our kitchen when I was growing up. In Marathi "Phodni" is the word for "Tadka" or " Tempering" and "Varan" refers to "Cooked Dal".  I mostly prepare it at dinner time, but you can have it with any meal. Tastes awesome with chapati or steamed rice/ bhaat. So try this no fuss free and easy next time when you want to make dal and I tell you, it won't take much of your time and your family will going to love it.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup Cooked Tuvar / Toor Dal

2 tablespoon Oil

½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds

½ teaspoon Mustard Seeds

7-8 Garlic Cloves, roughly chopped or roughly crushed

1 medium Onion, chopped finely

1 small Tomato, chopped

½ teaspoon Turmeric Powder

2-3 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

Salt as needed

¼ teaspoon Asafoetida

A sprig Curry Leaves

Chopped Coriander

METHOD:

STEP 1 – Wash and cook tuvar dal in pressure cooker for 3-4 whistles.

STEP 2 – Let the pressure release. Mix cooked dal and water and mash it with hand masher/ ravi.

STEP 3 – Heat a pan with oil on medium heat.

STEP 4 – Crackle cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Add asafoetida.

STEP 5 – Add chopped onion, garlic and curry leaves[do not have, so not added] and cook it for 3-4 minutes or until rawness vanishes.

STEP 6 –  Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and mix well.

STEP 7 –  Add chopped tomato and cook it for 3-4 minutes. 

STEP 8 – Then add cooked and mashed dal. Add some more water and mix well.

STEP 9 – Season it with salt and mix very well.

STEP 10 – Bring it to 1-2 boil. Just let the dal mixture come up once and switch off heat.

 STEP 11 – Add chopped coriander, mix well. Dal is ready to serve.

Serve it piping hot with steamed rice or chapatti.