Dhal dilemma

Dhal- It is a beautiful thing. A simple dish that can soothe away the worries of the day. Making it is actually calming and entertaining..

Everyone should know how to make it:

Basic dhal:

a quarter onion

2 tomatoes

masala

garam masala ( spice emporium or gorimas has great garam masala)

tumeric

garlic, ginger ,

cardamom, cinnamon, mustard seeds , tumeric , 2/3 black peppercorns, 2 red dried chilies

curry leaves

dhania

1 cup of frozen peas

yellow dhal - boiled already

Chop finely and fry onion until soft and then spices and then add tomatoes and a spoon or 2 or tumeric I grate them to get a nice chutney) .Add ginger and garlic to your taste- normally a spoon of each. Then add some water and let it cook down. Let the smells fill the house. Once it has made a nice chutney - salt to taste and some peppercorns . Add boiled dhal ( boil until soft and tender- then mush the up to a paste - freeze any excess) add to the chutney with peas and dhania. I also added thyme because I love it!

Curry leaves and dhania to garnish.

Here is the thing about dhal , you can add extra cinammon to some really great flavour ; or you can add in dhania stalks with the onion. Or try fresh green chili fried at the beginning with the onion and another one at the end - finely sliced up . I love how each pot of dhal never tastes the same and how your mood will influence your dhal.. It is great therapy in my mind that you meals can be a conduit to let go of drama , think about the yummy meal you are about to have and seriously be comforted . Oh yes, a little spoon of butter never hurt dhal and rice :)