Sunday, December 19, 2010

Chili Leaves and Mustard Seeds

Two months ago, Tyler and I bought a pressure cooker and a rice maker. With visions of culinary prowess and domestic bliss, I envisioned learning a new Indian dish each week.

Fast forward to now, and the pressure cooker and rice maker have yet to be properly broken in. All that's about to change tonight!

Inspired by the goal-orientation of the "Happiness Project", we set three culinary goals to master before year's end: salsa, dal tadka, and hummus. Salsa was the event of the evening yesterday. We had our friends, Tomo and Jenny, over for salsa and beer. We made guacamole (a real feat considering it's not yet avocado season!), fresh tomato salsa, mango salsa, and cheese/salsa (okay, that last one basically consisted of heating Tostidos fake cheese and salsa out of a jar).

Not to brag, but the mango salsa was incredible, if I do say so myself! Using two Thai mangos, we made up the recipe as we went along: mangos, tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and lemon juice. Can't wait until mango season starts in India!

As for tonight: dal tadka. The recipe?

1) Put oil, onion, cumin seeds, green chilly in pressure cooker. Heat until onion gets glossy transparent/gold color
2) Put all the spices/masalas
3) Add tomatoes and heat until tomatoes get pulpy
4) Add the yellow dal and water
5) Close pressure cooker and wait to whistle 3 times
6) Add coriander green leaves

Ingredients:
  • Taur dal: 1 cup
  • Water: 2 cups
  • Oil: 1 teaspoon
  • Tumeric powder: 1 teaspoon
  • Chilli powder: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: 2 teaspoons
  • 4 green chillies
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 3 onions
  • Coriander leaves
  • Optional: garam masala (1 teaspoon); chat masala (1 teaspoon); sabji masala (1 teaspoon)
Then, for tempering:
  • Onion - 1/4 cup, chopped fine
  • Garlic - 3 pods crushed (optional)
  • Jeera/cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Dry red chillies - 3-4, halved
  • Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp
  • Oil - 2 tsp
Heat oil in a pan and add ingredients for tempering. Once the mustard seeds start to pop and the onions turn transparent, add the cooked dal.

Et voila!

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