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Lentils are an indispensable part of the dinner table in most Indian households. A lot of people in India will agree that they have lentils in one form or another at least once a day. Also, one cannot ignore the fact that a lot of people in India are vegetarians, which is one of the major reasons why lentils are so popular in the country. One gets to eat a variety of lentils, all of which are very rich in fibre, protein and several other vitamins and minerals. In Maharashtrian cuisine, lentils play a very important role in the preparation of a proper vegetarian meal.
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Amtis for instance, are usually made by using truculent spices with lots of pulses and oil. People in the Konkan region also like to use lots of tamarind paste and coconut to give it that tropical zing. Here is a look at some of the most interesting lentil-based dishes from Maharashtra that are surely going to change one's perception of lentil culture in the state.
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* Valache Birdhe
Valache birdhe is a very famous Maharashtrian dish that is quite popular among a lot of traditional communities in Maharashtra. This dish is made by taking sprouted field beans that are mixed together with the tangy and flavourful curry that is made from vinegar, oil, spices, such as red chilli powder, turmeric, roasted cumin powder, and other ingredients such as jaggery, powder, green chillies, and shredded coconut, as well as different types of nuts and seeds. This is a very wholesome dish that is often accompanied by some steamed rice.
* Ambat Varan
Ambat, in the Marathi language, refers to something very sour. It is a type of thin lentil curry where toor dal is used as the primary ingredient. It also helps in imparting and bringing about the strong sour flavour in the curry. Other ingredients that are used to give the dish a definitive taste include tamarind and kokum. Ambat varan gets its sweet flavour because of the presence of jaggery powder as well as a sublime tadka. Although ambat varan can be enjoyed on its own, some people like to have it with different types of flatbreads. A great side condiment that one can enjoy with the dish is a lime pickle.
* Varan
Varan is one of the simplest lentil recipes that one can make at home. It is made on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and is considered a very important part of the festival and the cultural tradition during that time. It is made from toor dal with very few ingredients to give it a rather basic and simple flavour. Although the recipe is quite simple in its approach, the basic flavours and ease of digestion make it a quintessential recipe in Maharashtrian cuisine. It is often accompanied by some white rice and pickles on the side.
* Chavali Chi Amti
Chavali chi amti is another type of lentil curry that is made by using coconut milk and black-eyed peas. The dish can be prepared at home in under 30 minutes and is one of the creamiest concoctions of different ingredients that one will get to test. The best part about this dish is that it tastes delicious even though it has an unorthodox consistency. Malvani masala is an important ingredient in making the dish, which is high in protein and fibre. It is generally served with some white rice.
* Shipi Amti
Shipi amti is a type of lentil curry that is very famous, specifically in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is a type of traditional and spicy curry that is made by mixing different types of dals, such as moong dal, masoor dal, and tur dal. All of these dals are boiled and seasoned with some basic spices, such as red chilli powder, ginger, garlic, green chillies, and other such things. The best way to enjoy this dish is to pair it with multi-grain flatbread or even some hot rice on the side.
* Usal
Usal is a type of dish that is made from black-eyed beans, green gram, and moth beans that are mixed. The pre-preparation required to make this dish at home is to simply soak all these lentils in water and let them sprout for a couple of days. The next day, all these ingredients are mixed with onions, roasted spices, and some shredded coconut to make a well-synthesised and perfectly balanced lentil dish. It is extremely satisfying and warming. One can enjoy it with some flat bread or boiled rice on the side.
