Comfort Food - Daali Tauy

I have been missing from action because of a throat infection. For the last few days it felt like both my voice and taste buds had been taken hostage! Food is not exactly high on the list as you can imagine.

I have gone right back to basics with hot, comforting meals of rice-dal, khichdis and soups. They help my throat a little and my mood a whole lot more.

Daali Tauy is the Konkani version of the much loved Indian dal. It has a ginger-y flavor and unlike regular dals is quite watery. Serve it piping hot with rice and your favorite pickle or papad .... isn't it amazing how the second we are asked to avoid certain foods we can't stop thinking about them!

DAALI TAUY (Konkani Dal)
(serves 2-3)
1 cup red gram/ pigeon peas (toor dal)
1" piece of ginger (I am heavy handed with the ginger; adjust to taste)
1-2 green chillies, slit
1/4 tsp turmeric
salt to taste
lemon juice/ finely chopped cilantro (optional)
For seasoning -
ghee or oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
4-5 curry leaves
1 red chilli, broken into pieces

Wash dal in 2-3 changes of water. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a pressure cooker or a deep sauce pan. Mash ginger lightly and add to dal along with turmeric, green chillies and about 3 cups of water.

Cook till dal is done then season with salt. Heat oil in a tadka pan. Add mustard seeds and when they begin to splutter add curry leaves and chilli. Saute briefly and pour over the dal.

Cover pan and let sit so flavors can blend. Add lemon juice or finely chopped cilantro at the time of serving. Serve hot with rice and pickle... (there I go again!).

Tags: konkani dal toi thoi tauy toor tur arhar dahl