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' ..:)

Foodbuzz Blog Awards

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I was so excited to see some of my favorite blogs nominated for this year's Foodbuzz Blog Awards.

Click here to vote for your favorites too.

Deadline: All through October 2009. Winners will be announced on Novermber 7th at Foodbuzz Blogger Festival at San Francisco.

Goodluck to all the nominees and May the best man/woman win :-).

- Siri

Chickpeas and Potato curry and HC update...

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Monday & Tuesday - are the only two days I was able to survive myself for the Hunger Challenge week...then came my birthday on Wednesday and it was impossible for me to further continue as the birthday cake itself was more than $10. I should have realized that before I took up this daunting task ..but well, atleast I had a chance to participate for two days which made me realize how difficult it is to sustain oneself on a $4 food stamp per day.

..I made this 'Chickpea and Potato Curry' on Tuesday for the Hunger Challenge.

Chickpeas and Potato Curry (Aloo Chole)

Ingredients:

1/2 can of chickpeas, drained & washed [$0.86]
1 potato, peeled, cubed [$0.99]
1/2 tomato,chopped [$0.56]
1/2 tsp oil
salt to taste
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/8 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 cup water

How to make:

Heat oil in a saucepan, add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add chopped tomato and cook until mush. Mix cubed potato into it and cook until tender. Mix chickpeas, turmeric, salt, garam masala, chilli powder to the potato mixture. Add water and let the curry cook for 8-10 mins on medium-low. It can be served with rice or any kind of bread.

Here are my advanced Dussehra wishes [September 28th 2009] to you all ..:). May Goddess Durga bless one and all.

Image courtesy

~ Siri