Yellow dal

Cooking Time Required: 20 mins
Cost of preparation: 10-15 rupees

Ingredients: Toor dal ( 1 cup), garlic pods ( 4-5 nos), green chilli ( 1 no), mustard seeds ( 1/3 tsp ), coriander seeds (1/4 seeds), fennel seeds (1/4 tsp), red chilli powder (1/5 tsp, optional), finely cut coriander leaves ( 2 tsp), turmeric, oil ( 1 tsp), salt to taste.

Preparation: Wash and soak the daal in warm water for 2-3 hours.

Cooking: Add the dal to a pressure-cooker along with salt and turmeric. Add about one and half cups of water. Close the lid and put on the stove. Allow for two whistles. Remove from the fire and keep aide to cool. Once the steam escapes, open the lid and mash the dal .

Chop the garlic into small pieces. The chilli should be diced into 3-4 pieces along its length.

Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan. When it starts smoking, add the mustard, coriander and fennel seeds, followed by the garlic pieces and red chilli powder. Also add the green Chilli. Stir for 20-30 secs and pour over the dal along with half cup warm water . Sprinkle the coriander leaves over the dal and close the lid. This will help the dal to absord the flavours of the tadka.

Serve hot with rice or rotis.

Enjoying a hard earned meal : Rice with Yellow dal and tomatao-badi curry.