Ambat varan / Sweet and sour dal

Serving for - 2

Ingredients

Toor dal / Tuvar dal (split pigeon peas) - 1/2 cup

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Pinch of asafoetida

Goda Masala - 1/4 tsp

Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp

Grated jaggery - 1/2 tsp

Tamarind pulp - 2 tsp (I used 1/4 tsp tamarind paste concentrate)

3 cloves of garlic - minced

Oil - 2 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp

5-6 curry leaves

salt to taste

chopped cilantro for garnishing

Procedure

• Wash toor dal and soak in a water for about 1/2 hour. Drain out the excess water from dal and add in to pressure cooker. Add 2 cups of water, turmeric powder and salt to taste. Cook the dal until 4 whistles. When all pressure goes away, open the lid. Mash the dal little bit. Now, add red chili powder, goda masala, grated jaggery and tamarind pulp. Mix this really well and keep it aside.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, pinch of asafoetida and curry leaves. Let them crackle. Add garlic and saute for few seconds. When garlic turns slight brown in color, add cooked dal to it. Mix well and let it boil. It will take around 5-6 minutes. Add chopped cilantro and serve this ambat varan hot with plain rice.