Varan is Maharashtrian dal. I came across many varan recipes online. There were recipes with onion and tomatoes, some with only onion and some with just tempering with no onion and tomatoes. A plain dal with no onion no tomatoes with simple tempering is also called sadha varan.

I usually make dal with either onion & tomatoes or with only onion. For seasoning I use green chilies or some green chilies and chili powder. No onion, no tomatoes, no green chilies dal is something I do not make at home. Thus, I chose this simple sadha varan. A tiny piece of jaggery is added to varan and since we do not prefer sweet in savory food, I left it out. I made varan as part of the Maharashtrian thali.

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup Toor Dal
• 2 cup Water
• ½ – ¾ tsp. Salt (adjust to salt)
• 1 tbsp. Oil
• 3-4 Curry Leaves
• ¼ tsp. Mustard Seeds
• ¼ tsp. Cumin Seeds
• ¼ tsp. Turmeric Powder
• ¼ tsp. Hing ~ Asafoetida
• ½ tsp. Chili Powder (adjust to taste)
• Fresh Coriander Leaves for garnish

Preparation:

• Wash dal and cook in a pressure cooker with 1 cup of water. In my pressure it takes 7 whistles on high and 5 minutes on low.
• Let the pressure dissipate naturally.
• Open the cooker, mash the dal with back of the spoon, add water to desired consistency and bring it to a boil. Add salt and boil for few minutes.
• In a separate pan heat oil for tempering. When oil is hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and let the seeds crackle.
• Add hing, turmeric and give a good stir.
• Add chili powder and turn off the heat.
• Pour tempering over dal, garnish with coriander leaves and stir.
• Turn of the flame and serve hot with bhaat/rice.

This day in 2014: Maltese Potato Qassatat

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