Coconut dal

This dal is so easy to prepare and yet tastes so great. You can have this just as a soup or as usual you can serve it with rice.
Here is the simplest form - the coconut makes it especially creamy. Tamarind paste, peas, spinach leaves, wild garlic, grated fresh coconut and more have all made an entrance in this recipe over time.
Once you have the method creaked, experiment ......

Preparation time : 30 minutes
Serves : 2 to 3

Ingredients :

Toor dal : 1/2 cup
Coconut milk : 1/2 cup
Turmeric : 1/2 tsp
Coconut oil : 1 or 2 tsp
Onion : 1 medium ( or chopped onion : 1/2 cup)
Garlic cloves : 3
Ginger : 2 inches
Garam masala : 1 tsp
Red chili powder : 1 or 2 tsp
Cumin powder : 1tsp
Coriander powder : 1 tsp
Mustard seeds : 1 tsp
Curry leaves : 10
Tomatoes : 2

Method :

Pressure cook the dal with cinnamon stick and turmeric till it is soft.
This cooked dal smells so good ...... with nice cinnamon flavor .
Add coconut milk and salt to it.
Do not let this mixture boil - the coconut will curdle if this happens.
Continue to cook further for 15 minutes on a low flame until it thickens but remains soupy.
Take the pan of the heat.

Mean while prepare tadka.
In a frying pan over a moderate heat add coconut oil, then fry onions until soft and beginning to turn golden brown for about 10 minutes.
Add thinly sliced garlic and grated ginger and continue to fry for 3 more minutes.
Add the spices, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
Fry till mustard seeds crackle then add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the spiced onion tomato mix back into the dal, stir well and check for seasoning.

Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!