Dal Amritsari and Oven Baked Tandoori Roti

Dal is dried pulse/bean and in this case I have used Whole Urad and split Chana. The black one is whole urad and yellow one is split chana.

Amritsari is derived from Amritsar. It is a holy city for Sikhs where Golden Temple is established and people from all over the world come here for a visit. This city is at the border of Indian and Pakistan and is a witness of lot of history. Langar is like any soup kitchen in churches. It is a trend that whoever visits Golden Temple, never goes empty stomach. The kitchen of the temple is ways on and feed people on this dal and rotis/flat breads.

A glimpse of holy and gorgeous Golden Temple. Image courtesy : Google Images

A glimpse of Langar/Soup Kitchen at Golden Temple. Image courtesy : Google Images

Now comes the Dhaba :). Dhaba is Diner in simple words, where there is a menu of the day and is served likely. It is a road side eatery for tired travelers, an eatery where you get a lot for your money and some delicious food. I pity myself that I can’t eat that now when I visit India, because of stomach issues. The food is simply finger licking :). Slurrp. This dal is a staple in many dhabas along with dal tadka. Some pictures of Dhaba now :). Image Source : Google Images.

A good introduction? Let’s get onto the fingerlicking recipes now!

Dal Amritsari

Kitchen Equipments Required : pressure cooker or a big and deep saucepan, a big frying pan or wok, masher or hand blender, spatula, chopping board, knife.

Ingredients :

Urad Whole : 1 cup
Chana split (begal gram split) : 1/4 cup
Oil or Ghee : 2 tsp
Onion : 1 small chopped fine
Tomatoes : 2 chopped fine
Ginger : 1 small piece
Green or red dry chili : 1-2
Mint leaves : 8-10
Cumin seeds : 1 tsp
Red chili powder : 1/4 to 1/2 tsp, as per taste
Cumin powder : 1&1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Water : 5-6 cups

Method :

1. Prepping the Dal for cooking :

Wash both the dried beans thoroughly under cold water and soak in 5-6 cups of water for 6 hours atleast. I decided the last minute, so I soaked mine in hot water in a pressure cooker with weight on for 1 hour.

Now this is a tip to remember when you forget to soak your whole lentils or beans to cook next time. Soak in hot water in a pressure cooker with weight on but without putting it on fire. for the people who do not have a pressure cooker, just soak in boiling water for 1 hour in a tightly closed pan.

2. Cooking the Dal :

Pressure cooking : Cook the soaked dal with its water (it is washed already), in pressure cooker for 20 minutes including the first whistle. Just lower the heat after the first whistle and cook in simmer with weight on.

Pan cooking : if you are cooking in pan, then cook the dal till it is quite mushy. Adjust the water accordingly. We are not looking for a lot of liquid here.

3. Putting the Dal together : Find a short video attached at the bottom, to understand the basic.

Heat the oil in wok or frying pan. Add cumin seeds. Once they crackle add whole red chili at this point. Now add onions, mint leaves and ginger to the oil. Sauté on medium heat till I in turns slightly red and golden. Now add chopped tomatoes along with cumin powder, red chili powder and salt. Mix well. Cover with lid and cook for 8-10 minutes till the tomatoes are mushy and the ingredients come together as a paste.

Now treat the dal with a hand or potato masher or hand held blender to give it a thicker and creamier look. Don’t over do it. You frill want a grainy texture.

Add the slightly mushed dal to the onion tomato paste. Mix well. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes till it looks like a good marriage. Dal is ready.

Recommendations : You can eat it with rice, naan, any kind of flat bread, eat it as a stew, or best goes with tawa roti and tandoori roti.

Video Link for Amritsari Dal :
http://magis.to/fT15WkRCAF06IXwBDmEwCXp6?utm_source=magisto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=producer_shared_movie

Ingredients :

Whole wheat flour : 2 cups. You may use refined flour or 50/50 of both.

Salt : 3/4 tsp

Baking soda : a fat pinch

Yogurt : 2 tbsp

Warm water : to knead

Butter/ghee to brush on top

Method :

1. Take flour in the bowl. Mix salt and baking soda well into the flour.
   1. Make a well in the middle. Add yogurt and 1/2 cup of warm water and start mixing with hands to make a soft dough. Add more water as required. It should use somewhere near to/less than 1 cup of warm water. Add slowly and a bit at a time. Pull the dough together. Knead for 2 minutes and then set aside, uncovered for 5-7 minutes. Then get back and knead for 4-5 minutes more till it is soft and pliable.

   2. Set the oven to grill or broil. Adjust the top rack near to the broil on the top shelf.

   3. Pinch more than a golf size dough. Roll it into a 1/4 inch thick circle or oblong. Don’t roll it too thin or it will become too crispy and hard. Place the rolled out Rotis on baking sheet.

      

   4. Put the baking tray in the oven. It will start puffing up..or might not..don’t worry. Will start developing brown spots. Take it out. Flip on the other side and broil till brown spots develop. It takes 1&1/2 to 2 minutes each side. Keep an eye all the time. Don’t leave the sight and don’t burn your hands.

      

   5. As soon as the rotis come out, splatter butter or ghee and immediately store in the tortillas keeper, tightly closed. They are crispy so these are not good for keeping or storing. Best when eaten fresh :).

Enjoy the whole meal with a side of fresh salad drizzled with some lemon juice and salt.

Do try and let me know your reviews. My family loved it and I hope yours will too :).

Sonal