Mango Dal (Sambar)

Unripe mango cooked with yellow lentil and given a tempering both south indian/ north indian style. This is a most common food item in the season and prepared in all homes. Mango dal is one of the popular recipes made with raw mangoes.

PREP TIME : 10 mins      COOK TIME :  20 mins    TOTAL TIME :  30 mins

RECIPE TYPE: main        CUISINE: Indian                 SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS

(measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

For the dal:

• 1 cup arhar dal/ split pigeon peas
• half of the onion, chopped or thinly sliced
• a pinch of asafoetida/hing
• 2 small raw mangoes or 1 medium sized raw mango, sliced
• 2-3 drumsticks, chopped in 3-4 inch pieces
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 2 tbsp freshly grated coconut
• 2 cups water for pressure cooking the dal
• ½ or 1 cup water to be added to the dal later to get the consistency you want
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro/coriander leaves for garnish
• salt as required

For the tempering:

• half of the onion, chopped
• 1 or 2 green chilli/hari mirch, chopped
• 2 dry red chillies /sabut lal mirch, halved and deseeded
• 2-3 garlic/lahsun, crushed lightly
• 1 sprig of curry leaves/kadi patta
• 1 tsp cumin seeds/jeera
• ½ tsp mustard seeds/rai or sarson
• 1 tsp turmeric powder/haldi
• a pinch of asafoetida/hing
• 2 tbsp oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pick and rinse the lentils couple of times in water.
2. Pressure cook the lentils with 2 cups of water, half of the onion, a pinch of asafoetida till the dal is cooked completely. Slightly mash the dal.
3. In a pan heat oil. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. add cumin seeds and fry them till they get browned.
4. Add the remaining half of the onion. fry the onions till they soften,
5. Now add the crushed garlic, curry leaves, green chillies, red chillies and a pinch of asafoetida.
6. Fry these for a minute. Now add the cooked and lightly mashed dal.
7. Add sliced mangoes, tomatoes and drumsticks. Sprinkle salt.
8. Add some water to get it to the consistency you want. Simmer till the drumsticks are cooked.
9. Finally add some freshly grated coconut to the dal. Simmer for a minute or two.
10. Garnish the mango dal with chopped coriander leaves.
11. Serve mango dal hot with cooked basmati rice.

NOTES

1. You can also make this mango dal without onions and garlic. Add some ginger instead to the dal.

2. Also you can make the consistency of the mango dal as per your choice. Add less water later for a thicker consistency and vice versa