Tomato Aamti (Maharashtrian Tomato Dal)

Tomato Aamti (Maharashtrian Tomato Dal) :

(All ingredients are underlined)

1. Wash 1 cup toor dal and add 2 cups water to it. Pressure cook for 3 whistles. After 3 whistles, reduce heat to low for 5 minutes before turning off the gas. Let the cooker cool before removing the dal. Whisk it nicely and keep aside.

2. Heat 4 tsp oil in a vessel and add 1 tsp mustard seeds. After they crackle, add 1 tsp cumin seeds, less than 1/4 tsp asfoetida (hing), 1 tsp turmeric powder, 10-12 fenugreek (methi) seeds, 5-6 curry leaves, 2green chilies vertically slit, and 2 tomatoes cut into about 2 cm big pieces. Stir fry for a minute.

3. Add the whisked dal and water to achieve the desired consistency ( I added about 1 & 3/4 cup water). Typically, 'Aamti' in a Maharashtrian meal is thinner in consistency than any 'dal' of a North Indian meal . But you can choose to make it as per your choice.

4. Add 4 tsp Kala/ Goda Masala, salt to taste, and 1 tbsp jaggery. 

5. Reduce heat to medium and bring to boil. Let it boil for a minute before turning the gas off. 

6. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro leaves and serve hot with rice or poli/chapati along with any stir fried vegetable.