Puneri Dal (Yellow Lentils Pune-Style)

"This dal, much prized by Puneri Brahmins in Maharashtra, is sweet and fragrantly spicy, with a slightly sour undertone. Kokum, one of the ingredients, is a local sour fruit which has been dried, and it gives southern Indian food a distinctive flavour. It is often available from Indian groceries, but tamarind paste is an acceptable substitute. Asafoetida is a gum resin prized as a condiment in India. It is also known variously as 'devil's dung' and 'food of the gods'! It has a strong sulphur smell prior to cooking, but thereafter has a pleasant aroma. Asafoetida is a useful antidote for flatulence, and is thus incorporated into many Indian lentil dishes! Goda Masala is a Maharashtrian spice blend. I have posted the recipe for it separately (see recipe #109909)."
 
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Ready In:
50mins
Ingredients:
14
Serves:
4
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ingredients

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directions

  • Simmer the lentils in 4 cups of water for approximately 20 minutes, until just cooked, but not ‘mushy’.
  • Keep an eye on the lentils while they cook to ensure the water does not fully evaporate.
  • Drain off most of the water when the lentils are cooked and add the powder spices, kokum (or tamarind paste), desiccated coconut and salt to taste.
  • Simmer for a couple of minutes and stir until well mixed, adding more water if necessary to make a moist, but not ‘sloppy’, consistency.
  • Remove from the heat and keep warm.
  • Heat oil in a small pan, add the mustard seeds, and saute until they pop and crackle.
  • Add the cumin seeds, asafoetida and curry leaves.
  • Stir once, then pour the oil and spices over the lentils.
  • Mix well, and serve hot garnished with cilantro.
  • Accompany with rice and a vegetable curry if desired.

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Reviews

  1. This made for such a simple and yet so nourishing dinner. We had it with kusum's stuffed karelas(bitter gourd)Recipe #55817 and basmati rice. Thanks for sharing!
     
  2. This is a wonderfully tasty dal and Mom and I really enjoyed this for dinner tonight. The only substitute I used was 1 tomato instead of the tamarind paste. I made your Goda masala first and my my, that is an incredible blend of spices indeed. I'm so thankful to you for sharing the recipe. Pune is a beautiful place(I was there this last year on 29th October'2005) and I really enjoyed my time there. I hope to go back and live there permanently sometime next year. We enjoyed this dal with recipe #131149. My dinner tonight was memorable and the next time I have guests, these are sure going to be on the table!
     
  3. Totally wonderful, Daydream!! I used your Goda masala recipe#109909,tamarind paste and palm sugar.The flavour of this dish is so deep-it is spicy,fragrant,sweetish yet sourish. Excellent scooped onto pappadums and definitely one I will make again!!
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>I was raised in a family that loves to travel, meet people from other countries, and taste new foods. We are quite 'international' - my brother's wife is Indian, my sister's husband is Swiss and my son's wife is of Swedish and Croatian origin. My little dogs are German - miniature Dachshunds.</p> 8725212"
 
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