80. Dal Lakhnaowi

Source:http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/dal-lucknowi-foodfood.aspx
Final Outcome: Not bad, cannot classify as excellent.

        I have mentioned in one of my initial post that I frequently refer Sanjeev Kapoor's book Dals & Kadhis. I could cook just a basic Maharashtrian amti or kadhi, other than these I was not comfortable with cooking dals. This book has introduced me to a variety of dals so I love it.

Recipe:
Ingredients:
Toor Dal: 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp
Milk: 1/2 cup
Red chilies: 2
Cumin:1/2 tsp
Garlic cloves: 2 chopped
Fresh coriander leaves: 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Oil

Method:
1. Wash and soak toor dal for 15-20 mins. Drain and add 1 cup of water, salt, and a little oil. Pressure cook till it is cooked.
2. In a pan bring dal to a boil. In another pan heat oil. Add cumin seeds, red chilies and Garlic cloves. Saute till garlic turns brown. Add this seasoning to dal.
3. Add milk and chopped coriander and cook for a couple of mins.
4. After the dal comes to a boil, take off heat and serve hot.

37. Veggies Dal

Final Outcome: Very Very Tasty!!!

        This is a very tasty dal, completely worth the effort.

Recipe:
Ingredients: (please note all veggies have to be coarsely chopped as shown above)
Toor Dal: 1 cup
Carrots: 2
Potato:1
Raw Banana: 1
Egg Plant/Brinjal: 2
Pumpkin: about 200 gms (a handful of pieces)
Drumstick: 1
Ash Gourd: 7-8 pieces
Cumin: 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder: 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder: 1/2 tsp
Turmeric: A pinch
Garam Masala: 1 tsp
Oil
Salt
For the masala paste
Cumin: 1/2 tsp
Coriander seeds: 1/2 tsp
Grated fresh or dry dry coconut: 1/4th cup

1 or 2 red chilies
Onion chopped: 1
Ginger paste: 1 tsp
Tamarind juice: about 1 tsp
Green Chili: 1

Method
For the masala 
Heat the oil in a pan and add the cumin and coriander seeds. Add the dry red Chile, green Chile and onion and cook. After onion is tender add grated coconut stirring continuously till the mixture becomes golden brown. Add the ginger paste and tamarind paste and blend into a smooth paste. 

For Dal
1. Soak the toor dal for about 30 minutes. Add turmeric powder and 3 cups of water and pressure cook till the dal is done. Once done mash it well.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Add the Drumsticks, ash gourd,  potato, carrots . Let it cook (covered) for some time (these veggies take more time to cook).
3. Add raw banana, brinjals, pumpkin, coriander powder, cumin  powder and garam masala and stir for some time. Add water and salt, cover and cook till the vegetables done.
4. Add the cooked dal, masala paste (from above) and about 1 cup of water.
5. Bring it to a boil. Its ready!

        Its 11.30 p.m so no chit-chat. I better get some sleep. Have a very hectic day ahead.
     

19. Dal Moghlai

Source: Online recipes with a few changes
Final Outcome: Good

        When I began my resolution, I looked for a recipe and bought ingredients accordingly. Now I search for recipes with ingredients that I have. By end of this year I hope I will be able to create new recipes with given ingredients:-)
I had bottle gourd and tomatoes. I wanted to try some new recipe with bottle gourd. So I searched online and made some changes to suit our taste.
Recipe:
Ingredients-
1  cup toor dal
1/4 cup chana dal
1 medium sized bottle gourd chopped into medium pieces
1 Tomato chopped

1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1-2 green chilies chopped
1 Onion chopped

1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp dhaniya powder
Chopped coriander
Salt

Method-
1. Soak toor dal and chana dal for 30 to 40 mins. 
2. Add chopped tomatoes, salt and 3 cups of water to the dal and pressure cook till done.
3. In a pan heat oil. Add jeera jeera. After jeera begins to change colour add onion, chilies and ginger-garlic paste. Fry onions till they turn golden brown.
4. Add turmeric to onions and add cooked dal.
5. Add garam masala, dhaniya powder and chopped coriander.
   Bring it to a boil. Dal is ready.