Phodniche Varan (Maharashtrian Dal with seasoning )

This recipe is from Vimla Patil’s Dal Roti Cookey book. Very tasty dal, very easy to prepare and also low in calories. Goes well with rice, rotis, puris ... Please try this recipe if you’re in a hurry. You can make this varan with minimum ingredients. All you need is a 1 cup turdal / arhar dal. Other sub ingredients will be in your kitchen spice box.

Serves: 2

You will need

1 cup ( 100 g ) turdal / arhar dal
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon cooking oil
1 3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt ( or to taste )
1/4 teaspoon hing ( asafoetida )
1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed cumin seeds ( jeera )
2 teaspoon fresh coriander leaves ( optional )

For Seasoning:

2 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds ( jeera )
2 tablespoon finely sliced onion
1 spring curry leaves
1 green chilli, slit lengthwise

Method

Wash and cook dal in a pressure cooker with 1/4 teaspoon cooking oil and turmeric powder until soft ( reduce the heat to medium after 2nd whistle and cook for 15 minutes on a low heat ). Allow the cooker to cool naturally.

Open the lid.

Blend the cooked dal well. Add salt to taste and hing. Boil once again for 5 - 8 minutes on a low heat and check consistency.

Add crushed cumin seeds and pepper.

For Seasoning:

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds. When they start crackle, add cumin seeds ( jeera ), curry leaves, slit green chilli and finely sliced onions. Fry for 5 minutes on a low heat till fragrant and golden color. Pour this seasoning over varan.

Serve over rice with ghee and slice of lemon to squeeze ( optional ).