Lentil Dumplings In Tamarind Sauce Food

LENTIL DUMPLINGS IN YOGURT (DAHI BHALLA)

Steps:

• Drain both lots of lentils using a sieve and discard the soaking water. Tip into a food processor and add the ground cumin, peppercorns, ginger and green chillies. Blitz to a soft paste, adding 1-2 tbsp water as required.
• Spoon the lentil mixture into a bowl and beat vigorously for 5-7 mins, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. It's easier to do this in a food mixer fitted with a beater.
• Heat the oil in a wok or karahi over a medium heat, ensuring it is no more than two-thirds full. Stir the bicarbonate of soda into the lentil mixture, then use two dessert spoons to gently scoop and shape dumplings about the size of a small walnut. Working in batches, lower the dumplings into the oil using a slotted spoon.
• Fry the dumplings for 3-4 mins on each side, turning with a slotted spoon, until golden. Lift out and drain on kitchen paper. You should have 22-24 dumplings when all the batter is used up. Set aside.
• Whisk the buttermilk with an equal quantity of cold water in a large shallow baking dish. Coat the dumplings in the buttermilk mixture and leave overnight in the fridge (they will soften as they soak).
• The next day, gently press the dumplings to remove any excess buttermilk and arrange on a serving plate.
• To serve, whisk the yogurt with the sugar and enough milk to create a consistency that is just thick enough to coat the dumplings. Coat the dumplings with the yogurt and sprinkle with the ground cumin and chilli powder. Drizzle over some coriander relish and date & tamarind sauce, then sprinkle with the coriander leaves.

LENTIL DUMPLINGS IN TAMARIND SAUCE

Steps:

• FOR DUMPLINGS: Place green split peas, 1 tbsp yellow split peas, 3 cups warm water and chilies in large bowl. Soak at room temperature for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 12 hours; drain.
• Place pea mixture and gingerroot in food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl. Stir in cilantro (or the first 12-15 karhi leaves), flour, salt and asafetida (or garlic powder).
• Heat oil in wok or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add pea mixture. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, scraping bottom of skillet every 30 seconds (to prevent sticking) until mixture looks like soft, dry dough. Spread dough on dinner plate; let stand 10 to 15 minutes or until cool.
• Divide dough into 16 pieces; shape each piece into a ball. Set aside.
• MAKE SAUCE: Dissolve tamarind paste in 6 cups warm water in large bowl.
• Heat oil and mustard seed in 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Once seed begins to pop, cover saucepan and wait until popping stops. Add yellow split peas and fenugreek seed; stir-fry 20 to 30 seconds or until peas are golden brown.
• Stir in the 2 bay leaves (or the second batch of 12-15 karhi leaves), Sambhar Powder and asafetida (or garlic powder); stir-fry 15 to 30 seconds. Stir in tamarind mixture, salt and turmeric; heat to boiling.
• Add dumplings; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 8 to 10 minutes without stirring (to prevent dumplings from falling apart) or until sauce is thickened. (If using bay leaves, remove and discard.) Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.