Surati Dal - An aromatic sweet and spicy Lentil based gravy

While I was on a Project at Hazira, Surat...at a business luncheon I tasted a watery lentil based dal that was perfectly balanced in terms of spice, sour and sweet! I fell in love with this dal and on further probing was told this is a Surat Special Dal. I had never before tasted dal that was sweet too!

As ever, while narrating my visit to Amma and Appa I also mentioned about this Dal. Amma had to try this! Appa loved it as he loves his Soups and Dal | Kadhi to be runny and this dal was just that! Also the new flavour profile of a dal with Jaggery sweetness was something different to us and we loved it.

INGREDIENTS

3 tblsp Toor Dal

1 Tomato, finely chopped

2 Green Chilli, finely chopped

1 tsp Haldi | Turmeric Powder

1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder

1 tsp Vellam | Gud | Jaggery, grated

1 Lemon's Juice

To taste Salt

For Tempering

1/2 tsp Rai | Mustard Seeds

1/2 tsp Jeera | Cumin Seeds

A pinch Hing | Asafoetida Powder

1 tsp Homemade Ghee | Clarified Butter

1 Sukhi Lal Mirch | Dry Red Chilli

1 sprig Kadhi Patta | Curry Leaves

For Garnish

1/2 tblsp Fresh Dhania | Coriander Leaves, finely chopped

METHOD

• Wash and drain Toor Dal.
• Pressure cook Toor Dal and haldi for 4 whistles. 
• After pressure is released, remove cooked Toor Dal and while it is still hot, gently mash it nicely with the back of ladle. Keep aside.
• In a kadhai, add tomato and very little water. Gently mash up the cooked tomato.
• Add mashed dal, jaggery, salt, red chilli powder and enough water. Mix well.
• Let this come to a boil for 2 minutes. Stir well and switch off gas.
• Add lemon juice, mix well and transfer to a serving bowl.
• In a small pan, heat ghee and add rai, jeera, hing, curry leaves and dried red chilli.
• When rai crackles, pour this on top of Dal.
• Garnish Surati Dal with friendly chopped dhania.
• Serve hot with Roti | Steamed Rice with any Dry Sabzi.

We thoroughly enjoyed this aromatic surati Dal along with Rajasthani Tikkar.

We have used:

1. Everest Tikhalal Red Chilli Powder

2. LG Hing Powder

3. Tata Salt Lite

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About C R Meena

(c) 2014 - 2016, Meena's Taste Mantra is the result of my ardent desire to share my recipes, with all who appreciate and celebrate food. These recipes are as a result of 60 years of cooking experience, influenced by tradition and exposure to various concepts, new recipes/ingredients and a passion for cooking - adapting to healthier alternatives.