Rajastani Dal Baati

So many cultures, so many variety foods and each culture has a dish that stands out and authentic. I just love India. Today it’s a dish from Land of Kings aka Rajasthan. You would have guessed by now, yes! Its “dal baati”. Kudos to my friend Pooja Patodi (our ex-neighbor) for feasting us till we sleep there and now you being not here but still huge source of inspiration. Now it’s one of my new baby in cooking arsenel and next time we meet, Im going to treat you! Till we meet, I will try and make it perfect. It’s in the menu for dinner tonight with gatte ki sabzi! But 1 thing I must admit, I am not able to be as generous regarding amounts of ghees the dish typically uses but I am more than satisfied wid the taste... Happy happy..

Ingredients

For the dal
All daals (mixed) chana dal (split Bengal gram),toovar (arhar) dal,  moong dal (split green gram) , massor daal – 1cup
1 tbsp urad dal (split black lentils)
1 tbsp whole moong (whole green gram)
3 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tsp cumin- coriander  powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
2 bayleaves (tejpatta)
1 tsp cumin seeds- mustard seeds
Ginger garlic  paste- 1 tsp
Green chilli paste- ½ tsp
1 large onion- roughly chopped
2 tomatoes- chopped
a pinch of asafoetida (hing)
1 tblsp lemon juice
2-3 tbsp oil
salt to taste
chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

For the baatis
1 cup whole wheat flour (gehun ka atta)
1/4 cup semolina (rava) optional
1/4tsp each- cumin seeds, carom seeds & fennel seeds
Baking powder ¼ tsp
1tblsp yogurt 
1/4th cup melted ghee
salt to taste

For serving
melted ghee
1 recipe churma

Method

For the dal 

Clean and wash the dals and keep aside. Heat oil in the cooker. Add bay leaves, hing, splutter cumin-mustard seeds. Add chopped onion. Sauté till translucent.  Add the ginger garlic & chilli paste. Sauté till raw smell of ginger and garlic goes away. Add the chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chilli powder & cumin-coriander powder. Adjust salt. Sauté till the tomatoes are cooked. Add garam masala & mix well. Now add all the soaked daal & give double amount of water as per the daal. Mix well. 
Pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles or till the dals are cooked. Switch off the flame. Now remove the lid. Adjust the consistency of the dal if required, add some water. Add the lemon juice & coriander leaves. Adjust  salt and simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

For the baatis 

Take a large bowl. Add flour & ghee. Mix well with your hands now add all the ingredients and knead into stiff dough. don't knead it for long time. Keep it covered for at least 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180 degree C. 
Take a portion of the dough & make lemon size balls. Press them slightly.
Grease the baking tray. Place the battis on it. 
Bake  them in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes till the baatis are cooked on the insides also. don't worry if you will see cracks in the batti that means it is baking properly.


Now the important part. How to serve them. Arrange the baatis on a serving plate break each baati into two pieces and pour melted ghee on the baatis.
Now take the ghee dipped battis in a bowl. Pour hot dal over the baatis. 
Serve hot  with churma . We had it with gate ki sabzi…yummm…