Urad Dal with Tomatoes

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I was gone, missing from my blog for couple of months and it happens when one's life gets unexpectedly busy and also when there is absolutely NO motivation to cook something special just - for oneself. But, I have been blog-hopping a lot and bookmarked so many wonderful recipes that the list is unmanageable now. One such recipe is this which I saw long time ago and made it at last.

I always used Urad dal just for tempering and never made a complete dal out of it. I seriously thought this would just turn out very mushy and funny. Guess, I was wrong. Also what I didn't know was, this dal is served as a main course in many punjabi households. I am glad, I explored this 'gentle dal'.. finally!

This is my entry to Susan's 'My Legume Love Affair - 16', guest hosted by Jeanne.

Urad Tamatar Dal (Adapted from here)

Ingredients:

1 cup urad dal (without skins)
4 cups water
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/8 tsp turmeric
2 tbsp ghee (or canola oil)
salt - to taste
fresh coriander - for garnish [which is missing for my dish as I didn't have any]

For tempering:

1 piece of star anise
2 cloves
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp minced ginger
2 whole red chillies
a pinch asafoetida powder

Preparation:

1. Wash dal thoroughly and keep aside.

2. Melt some ghee in a saucepan and add water & turmeric. Once it comes to a boil, add washed dal to bring it to a boil again. On medium-low flame, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. Now add tomatoes. Continue cooking for 45mins more, until the dal is fully cooked. Remove from heat and add salt. [If you are in a rush, pressure cook the same ingredients for 2 whistles]

3. Heat remaining ghee in a pan and add ginger & other ingredients listed under 'tempering'. Saute until light brown. Finally add cooked dal and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with rice (or roti).

Happy Halloween to all!!!

I always come across so many wonderful articles and from now on..at the end of my posts..u will find the 'article of the week'...

Since today is Halloween.. Check out the 'Four Kinds of Vampires that haunt your life' ..:)