Aamti

Aamti 

      Aamti is a typical Maharashtrian sweet and sour dal ( lentil soup ) prepared in many different ways and served hot with rice.  

Type 1 -- With kokam / amsul and sugar

Ingredients:-

1. 2 cups Toor dal.

2. 3-4 dried Kokam / Amsul 

3. 1 tea spoon Hing ( Asafoetida)

4. 1 tea spoon Mohri / Rai ( Mustard seeds )

5. Salt (to taste)

6. Sugar (to taste)

7. 1 spoon oil / ghee ( for tempering )

8. Cilantro ( finely chopped  -- optional to garnish)

9. Coconut ( freshly grated )

10. Water 

11. 2 tea spoons Turmeric powder

12. 1 - 2 spoons Red Chilli powder ( to taste )

13. Curry leaves ( if available -- to enhance the taste)

Method:-

1. In a pressure cooker add washed dal, water, 1 tea spoon turmeric powder, some hing powder 

    and a tea spoon of oil. Pressure cook this dal ( 3-4 whistles on a medium low flame.You 

    should be able to mash the cooked dal easily). Mash this cooked dal and keep aside.

2. In a pan heat some oil. Add a tea spoon of hing, mustard seeds, curry leaves. When the seeds 

    start sputtering add 1 tea spoon of turmeric. Mix well and to this add the boiled and mashed dal 

    immediately.

3. Add enough water, to get the exact consistency desired by you and keep stirring. 

4. Increase the flame to a medium high.

5. You may now add salt, sugar ( as per your taste ), red chilli powder, grated coconut ( optional ) 

    and Kokam. Stir and let the dal boil for a while.

6. Add chopped cilantro and mix well.

Type 2 -- With tamarind and jaggery

Method:-

1. Use the same method as above. Add tamarind and jaggery instead of kokam and sugar. 

2. Boil well.

       Both the preparations have a sweet and sour taste but through different sources. Serve hot with rice.

Enjoy!!!