Spicy Toor Dhal Gravy

Time taken: 35 mins

Serves 4 or 5

Ingredients:

• Toor Dhal/ Thuvaram Paruppu – ½ cup
• Chilli powder – ½ tsp
• Cumin powder – ½ tsp
• Coriander powder – ½ tsp
• Pepper powder – ¼ tsp
• Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
• Tamarind juice – ½ cup to 1 cup, as required
• Salt, to taste
• Garlic – 3 cloves, crushed

Method:

1. Soak the dhal for about 10 mins. Rinse and drain the dhal and transfer to a saucepan.
2. Add 1 ½ cups of water to the dhal and cook for about 10 to 15 mins, over medium heat.
3. Reduce to low heat and add the five spice powders (chilli, cumin, coriander, pepper, turmeric).
4. If the water has dried up, add 1 cup of tamarind extract. If there is some water still in the pan, reduce the amount of tamarind extract added accordingly.
5. Add salt, to taste and mix well.
6. Cook for another 10 mins. Adjust gravy consistency by adding more tamarind extract, if required.
7. Add crushed garlic just before removing from stove. Mix well.
8. Serve with rice or chappathi.

Recipe source: Raji Thillainathan.