Amti / Lentil In Spicy & Sweetish & Tangy Gravy

As always I was blog hopping to find something new for dinner tonight. And Voila! I got it. It was the name of the dish that struck me. "Amti". Never heard of it before. So I got more interested and see what I found out.

"Amti" is a Maharashtrian dish. And Maharashtra is a state in India. Every state in India has a huge number of specific specialities. So here is one such speciality from the land of Marathas :) Amti is a mix of spicy, sweetish and tangy taste. I just have one word to describe "Amti" - Yummmmmm :)

Special thanks to Jaysri for this recipe. And to Nupur too, from whom Jaysri got this :)




Ingredients

• Toor dal - 1 C
• Onion - 1⁄2 C
• Amti masala - 1 t
• Turmeric powder - 1/2 t
• Red chilli powder - 1/2 t
• Tamarind paste - 1 t
• Jaggery - 1/2 t
• Curry leaves -  few
• Cilantro - 1 T
• Oil - 1 T

For Tempering

• Mustard Seeds - 1 t
• Cumin Seeds - 1 t
• Asafoetida - a pinch

Method

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Once the oil is hot, add items listed under "For Tempering".
• Add onion and fry till they turn soft and translucent.
• Add curry leaves, amti masala , turmeric powder , chilli powder,  salt and saute well for a minute.
• Meanwhile cook dal adding enough water (1.5 C).
• Add the cooked dal to the onion-masala mixture.
• Then add tamarind,  jaggery and allow it to boil.
• Cook the mix for few more minutes on low heat.
• Garnish with cilantro.