Picky Dal or Dal Thadka

I first tasted this dal(lentil) made by my maternal grandfather the late Mr. Padma Rao, whom we fondly called as thatha(Grandpa in Most south Indian Languages) …probably the only dal he could make, but tasty it was, we called it picky dal. I remember vaguely that most of my family was traveling to another state for some wedding, so thatha pitched in to look after us. Whenever I cook this I always remember him, whatever I am today he had a big role to play, he was the one who made Math fun for me. This was also the first dish I made after my wedding. And this tastes just yummy….

Ingredients

Tur Dal – 1 cup
Garlic Pods – 5 to 6 chopped very finely or can be grated
Green Chillies (Thai Chillies) - 5 to 6 chopped finely (Use according to ur level of taste/heat)
Mustard seeds (Rai) - 1 teaspoon
Jeera (cumin seeds) - 1 teaspoon
Onions - Ones Small – chopped finely
Curry leaves - 5 to 10 leaves
Coriander (Kothmir) - a handful
Turmeric Powder - ¼ teaspoon
Oil - 2-3 teaspoons
Ghee - 2 table spoon(optional)

Preparation

Pressure cook or cook the dal with turmeric till it is well done. Now in a pan heat the oil and Ghee add the Mustard and Jeera, now add the curry leaves, then add the garlic, green chillies and onions and fry for some time. Add the same to the dal, add water (which ever consistency you like, I like my dal on the thicker side) and salt to taste boil it for 5 mins, put off the stove add the coriander and serve hot with rice or roti.

Recipe By: Mr. Padma Rao

Posted By: Brinda