varan recipe

INGREDIENTS (measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

• ½ cup moong dal/split & skinned mung lentils
• ½ cup arhar dal/spilt and skinned pigeon pea lentils
• 2 to 2.5 cups water for pressure cooking
• add 1 or 1.5 more water later (optional)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder/haldi
• 5-6 curry leaves (optional)
• 1 tsp crushed cumin or cumin powder/jeera powder
• a pinch of asafoetida/hing
• 1 cup fresh grated coconut - ground with little water
• salt as required

INSTRUCTIONS

1. pick, rinse the lentils couple of times in water.
2. pressure cook the lentils till they soft.
3. mash them with a spoon or ladle.
4. add coconut paste to the cooked lentils and mix well.
5. then add cumin powder, turmeric powder & curry leaves and salt.
6. mix again.
7. add water to thin the dal if required.
8. keep the dal on the stove and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes.
9. serve varan bhaat with steamed rice and some ghee.

Tips

instead of combination of moong or arhar dal, you can also add 1 cup of arhar or moong dal instead.