Thovve/ Kattu Saaru/ Daal Tadka

Thovve (also known as Kattu Saaru) comes right on top of the comfort foods list in Karnataka. Thovve is like a must, during all festivities and is served at the beginning in every festive meal. Its very simple dish and takes very few ingredients that are usually available in any Indian pantry. While I prefer to make my thovve with toor daal (thogari bele, in Kannada), some people also use moong daal (hesaru bele). The thickness or the consistency of the thovve depends on personal choice. I am posting this on the request from one of my readers.... I hope you like it!

Ingredients:

1 cup Toor dal or Moong Dal

2-3 Green chilies

1-2 Dry red chilies

4-5 curry leaves

1/2 tsp Sugar

1/2 - 3/4 tsp Ginger, grated/finely chopped

1 tsp Lemon juice

1-2 tsp oil

1/2 tsp each of Mustard & Jeera seeds

2-3 strands Cilantro

A pinch of Hing

Salt as per taste

Method:

1. Wash dal in cold water a couple of times;Add about 2 cups of water and the slit green chilies to the dal and pressure cook until completely done; I like my dal mashed completely, and it takes about 3 whistles on medium heat in my cooker.
2. Add the chopped/grated ginger, salt and sugar to the dal and boil well on stove; Add water to get the desired consistency.
3. Heat oil in a small pan and temper with mustard, jeera, hing, red chilies and curry leaves; Add to thovve.
4. Add lemon juice, chopped cilantro and mix well just before serving; Serve hot with rice/ rotis and enjoi!

Prep Time: About 30-35 mins

Serves: About 2-3 people