Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Split Urad Beans in the Delhi Style, p113

Split Urad Beans in the Delhi Style
Dilli Ki Urad Dal
India
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cook Time: 70 minutes to cook beans + 10 minutes for tarka
WW Pts (using 1/2 oil): 4
WW Pts (as directed): 5
Bonus: tarka-tarka-tarka (sung to the tune of conga-conga-conga), beans can be made ahead and tarka added later, very little chopping required
Bummer: spices jumping all over the stovetop

I really enjoy making tarkas. It's pretty simple and straightforward, but because of the quick addition of ingredients, I need to be very organized and have things chopped, measured and set out in order. I usually cook in a haphazard manner, so there's something quite nice about the forced discipline of making these tarkas. Plus, it's a chance to use the cute little cast iron frying pan, and who doesn't love that?

I used half the oil (subbing canola oil for ghee, but I'll buy peanut oil soon) and used canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh. The dish was good and very easy to make. I might make it again, but if I have all the ingredients and the time, I would be more likely to make the Lucknow Urad Dal.

Leftovers
The reheated beans were just as good, if not better, than the first time (the leftunders?).

5 comments:

Michelle said...

This is one of my favorites. I have to make this again soon before I'm convinced that I don't like urad dal or cumin (after the cumin burning incident). You're right about the tarkas -- cool to say, fun to make, just be ready or you'll burn your cumin and it will taste like blech.

Stacey said...

Did you make the red lentils w/cumin & scallions? You'd probabaly like that alot, too.

I think the lucknow has a great cuminy flavor because it's actually cooked with the cumin. You'd probably really enjoy it and may want to suck it up and slice the onion needed for the dish. Either that, or get someone else to make it for you.

Michelle said...

no, i've never made the red lentils with cumin. you know, i'm still down on all the lentils and dals except urad (i think). why i haven't gotten my butt to the store, i don't know. maybe cause all i want to make is gobi aloo lately (3 or 4 times already -- last night being one of them!)

hmm, do i HAVE to use the onions???

Stacey said...

We wanted to make that on Easter, but no organic cauliflower to be found. Maybe, though, I'll make it soon - while I still have potatoes.

You don't have to do anything. But it doesn't have to taste super-awesome, either. You want me to slice for you? I'm surprised you can't buy them pre-sliced. Everything else comes prepped.

Michelle said...

i've never seen sliced onions (though I've seen peeled garlic, not that I need help with that).

hmm, i think i can do with the vidalia/sweet onion type. yeah, i still don't want to slice them. eek.