Urad Chutney

My amma calls this 'Thalichu kottina thovaiyal', an olden chutney that serves a typical side dish for idly/ dosa. This usually pops up when you don't know what to make for dinner or for a quick breakfast, provided there is idly batter lying in the refrigerator. This comprises very basic ingredients and can be prepared in less than 5 minutes.

Ingredients:

1. Urad dal - 2 tbsp
2. Tamarind - marble sized soaked in water
3. Salt - 1 tsp
4. Dry red chilies - 3
5. Asafoetida - 1 pinch
6. Jaggery - 1/2 tsp grated
7. Oil - 1 tbsp
8. Mustard seeds - 1/2 tbsp
9. Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Method:

Step 1: Roast the urad dal with 3 drops of oil in a tadka pan or any pan till golden brown and let it cool.
Step 2: Roast the dry chilies in the same pan and let it cool.
Step 3: Now grind coarsely the urad dal along with tamarind, salt, chilies and jaggery using some water to get chutney consistency.
Step 4: In the same pan heat the rest of the oil, splutter mustard seeds, sprinkle asafoetida, add curry leaves and pour over the chutney.
Step 5: Adjust salt and serve with idly or dosa.

Tips: It tastes better if consumed within a couple of hours as the urad dal will lose its crisp in time. However, it can be refrigerated and used for 2 days.