Bethica's Kitchen Flavours: Amti (Maharashtrian Dal / Lentil Curry)

A great comfort food for all Maharashtrians, this is a mildly spiced, sweet and sour lentil curry. There are many versions to it, depending on the region. It is very much a daily affair in most of the Maharashtrian household. Goda masala is an essential local spice used in this recipe and I make sure I buy one or two packs of it during my visit to Mumbai .

But you can substitute it with garam masala. This is a no onion-no garlic recipe. Nevertheless, it is a very delicious lentil curry which can be relished both with steamed rice or chapatti. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

1/2 cup tuvar dal (pigeon pea lentil) soaked for 30 minutes
salt to taste
2 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
1/4 tsp. asafoetida
1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. goda masala
1-2 sprigs curry leaves
2-3 green chilies, slit
2-3 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
1 tsp. sugar / jaggery
1 tomato, chopped
1 tsp. tamarind paste mixed with 1/2 cup water
handful of coriander leaves, chopped

Pressure cook the soaked dal in 1 & 1/2 cups water for 4-5 whistles. Add salt and whisk well. Adjust water accordingly depending on the consistency desired.

Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds and cumin seeds. After it stops spluttering add the asafoetida, turmeric powder, curry leaves and green chilies. Sauté for a few seconds.

Add the coconut along with the sugar and goda masala. Fry for a minute on a medium flame. Then add the tomatoes and the tamarind water. Simmer till the tomatoes are mashed.

Now add the boiled dal and mix well. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. When done, add the coriander leaves and mix well. Serve hot with rice or chapatis.