Varan (Pigeon pea split peas curry)

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Varan (Pigeon pea split peas curry)

Description

Varan-bhaat is a popular Maharashtrian and Goan cuisine involves pigeon pea split beans (popularly known as Tur dal) and rice as its main ingredients. Varan or dal is prepared using pigeon pea split beans, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, chili, asafoetida, jaggery or sugar, and salt. Varan is a staple and consumed on an everyday basis as well as in fasting, religious functions, Marriages. Easy to prepare, non-spicy, require few ingredients and has a subtle taste. Very nutritious and goes well with steamed rice(sheet or bhaat), pickle, and papad. This is Goan style dal or Varan is prepared at my home especially during Ganesh Chaturthi or any religious function. Tur dal is pressure cooked, mashed, roasted black pepper and cumin seeds are blended with freshly grated coconut, sugar or jaggery, turmeric and salt into a fine paste and cooked. For tadka mustard seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida,green chili is used.

Cooking Time

Preparation Time :10 Min

Cook Time : 10 Min

Total Time : 20 Min

Ingredients

Serves : 5
  • 1/2 cups tur dal


  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds


  • 3-4 nos curry leaves


  • 2 nos green chili slit


  • 1/2 tsp asafoetida


  • 1 tsp roasted cumin seeds


  • 3/4 tsp roasted black pepper


  • 1/2 tsp turmeric


  • 6-7 tbsp grated coconut


  • 1 pinch sugar


  • 1/2 tsp salt to taste


  • 1/2 tbsp oil/ghee


  • 1 1/2 cups water as per your thickness preference

Directions

  • In a blender take freshly grated coconut, roasted cumin seeds, and black pepper, turmeric, sugar, and salt. Blend it into a fine paste. Add 1/4 cup water if required.
  • Wash and cook tur in a pressure cooker for 3-4 whistles. Allow pressure cooker to cool down before opening it. Take out the cooked dal. Mash it. Keep aside.
  • In a wok or pan heat oil. Add mustard seeds. Let it splutter.
  • Add curry leaves, slit green chili and Asafoetida. sauté for few seconds.
  • Add cooked, mashed tur dal and prepared coconut-cumin seeds-black pepper paste. Simmer it for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add water and adjust the consistency as per your requirement.
  • Serve hot with Steamed Rice.