Dhal Makhani

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups toor dal, washed and drained
2 tomatoes, medium sized, cut into large pieces
A pinch of turmeric powder
2 tsp coriander leaves, chopped

For seasoning:

1 small onion, chopped
A pinch of hing
1 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp dhania powder
4-5 green chillies, chopped
1 sprig curry leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 stick butter
Salt to taste

Procedure

Boil the dal and tomatoes with a pinch of turmeric powder
and 1 cup water till the dal is soft.
Add salt to taste.
Set aside.
In a saucepan, prepare the seasoning by heating the butter.
Add the cumin and mustard.
When the cumin is slightly fried, add all the other seasoning
ingredients except the red chilli, turmeric and dhania.
Fry till the onion starts turning color.
Now add the powders and fry for a minute.
Remove from heat and add the boiled dal/tomato to this.
Add the chopped coriander leaves.
Mix well.
Adjust the salt if necessary.
Add 1 cup of water.
Bring it to a boil and remove.

Serve hot with rotis or plain rice.

Sweet Pongal

Ingredients

1 cup raw rice
1/2 cup green gram dhal
1 cup milk
2 1/2 cups water
3 cups jaggery powdered
4 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp cashewnuts
2 tbsp raisins
5 cardamoms powdered
2 cloves powdered
1 small piece nutmeg grated or powdered
A pinch of saffron

Procedure

Roast dry the green gram dhal for a couple of minutes.
Cook the rice and green gram dhal with 2 1/2 cups of
water and 1 cup milk in the microwave and set aside.
Dissolve the jaggery in 3/4 cup water and cook on a low
heat till the jaggery melts.
Strain the jaggery to remove the dirt.
Put the syrup once more on the heat and stir till it
becomes slightly sticky.
Add the cooked rice and dhal.
Heat the 4 tbsp ghee.
Fry the cashewnuts and raisins and add t o the pongal.
Add the powdered cardamoms,cloves nutmeg and saffron.
Mix well.
Serve hot.