Simple Radish Dal

Radish is a great source of Vitamin C and it is rich in Fiber content. Hence this is a wonderful addition to any recipe especially salad, dal, sambar and gravies. But some how, I have never seen anybody making a recipe using just Radish, may be it doesn't taste that great without the help from lentils, I guess. Anyways, this is a simple dal from my den.

Ingredients:

1)Toor Dal - A handful(soaked in water for 30 minutes)

2)Radish - 1(small, cut into chip shaped circles with slightly thicker density)

3)Tomato - 1(small, chopped)

4)Shallots or small onions - 2(chopped)

5)Whole Red Chilli - 2(broken)

6)Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

7)Asafetida - a pinch

8)Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp

9)Salt - to taste

10)Ghee - 1.5 tsp

11)Curry leaves - 2 sprigs(chopped)

12)Mustard Seed - 1/2 tsp

13)Cumin Seed - 1/2 tsp

14)Garlic - 2 pods(chopped)

15)Water

16)Tamarind paste - 1/2 tsp(diluted in 5 tsp of water) - Optional

Preparation:

1)Pressure cook the following for 4 to 5 whistles: toor dal, chopped radish, chopped tomato, turmeric powder, salt, asafetida and water.

2)Heat ghee in a pan, add Mustard, cumin seeds, let it splutter.

3)Add curry leaves, let it splutter.

4)Add chopped garlic and whole red chilli, saute for couple of seconds.

5)Add chopped shallots and saute until they become translucent.

6)Now add the pressure cooked content into the pan and stir well. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

7)Add 1/2 tsp of red chilli powder and mix well, let it cook for 2 more minutes.

8)Add tamarind water and mix well, let it cook for couple of minutes. Note: This step is optional, I did not add tamarind water at all and it tasted light and good. So it is your choice.

Tips: My granny adds 1 tsp of coconut paste(or shredded coconut) at the end. But I did not, because I want this dal to stay fine till dinner, (HeHe) lazy me!!