Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Dhal Curry


















This is the first time I cook dhal curry and it was easier than I thought .   I loved it....saw it on Sonia's blog and I knew I had to try making my own dhal curry at home to go with my homemade chapati :)...and since I can  make quite soft chapati, the thought of homecooked dhal curry  is even more inspiring :)  I soaked the lentils a bit longer to shorten the cooking time.  I prefer the dhal very soft and the gravy thicker than those sold at the mamak shop.   Dhal is good protein so this meal is considered healthy :)   For the chapati , I used hot milk and Crisco shortening to make the dough.  And truly it was soft and a friend told me to roll the chapati dough into very thin disc...as thin as I can go and when cooking the chapati , make sure the griddle is very hot.  It cooks fast...and remembering all the pointers she gave me, I managed to make some soft chapati :)   This chapati was so much better than the previous one I made.  I realised that if the dough is kept overnight in the fridge, the chapati will be even more softer.

















Sonia of Nasi Lemak Lover has got many good recipes on her blog, do hop over to her blog to see her original Dhal Curry . Mine was more yellowish than hers coz I accidently added a wee bit more of the turmeric powder than required but luckily it did not affect the taste of dhal curry . I wanted it more spicy hot so I added in chilli flakes and more dried chillies. Love the aroma of green chillies, mixed indian herbs  ( halba ) , and curry leaves while it was simmering in my claypot.  I will cook this again for the weekend . Easy to whip up and we can eat this through out the day :)  




















love the soft chapati and the tasty and delicious
dhal curry


Dhal Curry - taken from Nasi Lemak Lover


Ingredients :

Dhal 250g (soaked for 2hours or more)
Green chili 1, sliced
Shallot 3, sliced
Garlic 3, sliced
Tomato 1, cubed
Potato 1, cubed
Carrot 1, cubed
Curry leaves 1 stalk
Water 1.5lt
Turmeric powder 1tbsp
Mixed Indian herbs (mustard seeds, cumin seeds &etc)- easily found in Indian grocery shop
Salt to taste
1. Heat oil in a wok, add in shallot, mixed Indian herbs and garlic, stir fry till fragrant
2. Add in green chili and curry leaves, stir fry for a while
3. Add the rest of tomato, potato and carrot, mix well.
4. Then add in dhal and water. And follow by turmeric powder.
5. Simmer for 1.5 hours or until dhal is soft.


*             *            *


Homemade Chapati  

1 cup Atta flour
2 tbsp of Crisco shortening
a pinch of salt 
1/4 cup or more hot milk - enough to make a soft and pliable dough

Method:-

Combine the atta flour with the shortening...slowly add in the hot milk to the flour mixture to form a soft and pliable dough.  Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes till it is smooth. Leave to rest for 30 minutes. Divide into  4 equal pieces . Shape each piece into a round ball and roll each ball into a flat round disc.  Warm the non-stick pan or tawa pan and cook the chapati till it blisters and puffs up - 3 mins on each sides.  Serve with curry or dhall curry of your choice. 

* note : I noticed that if the dough is kept in air tight container and leave overnight in the fridge, the chapati will be softer still 

14 comments:

  1. hi elin, if u are watching your diet, you can omit potatoe and add chayote. When dahl is almost ready, add some rolled oats which will give you a thicker gravy n more fibre :)
    May

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  2. Yum Yum....nice!! ...hehe, it seems I've eaten some from the screen..;p Love it with some "roti canai"..:)

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  3. Yummmm...with chappati, naan... Out of this world!

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  4. May...yea, I must try that the next time I cook this. I am trying to keep away from starch products like rice and potatoes....thanks for the tips on this. Shall try out your suggestions :)


    Reese...hahaha Sonia is a good cook so I copy cat her :p


    Arthur....yea, oh naan I love the cheese naan in Semenyih . I go for these when I visit Jo :)))

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  5. Elin, thanks for trying out and the link . I must try your soft chapati too as I not so satisfy with my earlier chapati
    .

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  6. hi elin, i just made your chappati few days go, will post soon!

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  7. Your dhal curry looks very good. I love dhal with roti canai. Have not tried making chapatis at home. Will have to give it a try one of these days.

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  8. I tried making this last 2 weeks ago...wasnt very successful..:( Will try this recipe...thanks!

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  9. So bright and delicious looking!

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  10. I drink dhal curry like soup.
    Sometimes I ask the mamak to sell me one bowl, haha! But only at places where their dhal is nice.

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  11. Mmm, I love dhal - looks wonderful!
    And I super-excited for the chapati recipe, my favorite Indian bread!

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  12. must try soon as i love dhal very much, but always feel the one sold in mamak stall is too watery to my likings.

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  13. Sonia....thanks for your recipe, it was awesome !


    Lena...glad you try the chapati and use hot milk the next time you make them and keep overnight in air tight container...softer still :))


    Biren...yea, this dhal curry is nice and goes well with roti canai and chapati and thosai too :)


    Sharon...why unsuccessful ? Then try this..for me it turned out great :)


    Part Time House Wife ....thanks for the buzz :)))


    Yummy...yea :)


    Wendy....hahaha I can imagine you drinking them down. I like the thicker gravy...the more creamier the better so that I can scoop them up with my chapati :)))


    Kiri...mine too...love chapati..try use hot milk for a softer texture. It works for me :)


    Sem...homecooked ones are better :p can add more dhall to it , we control the amount of dhall to put in :)))

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