Sungta Rava Fry, Ukda Tandul and Dalithoy

Ingredients

• 2 cup Parboiled Rice (Known as Ukda Tandul in Marathi. Any medium or long-grain variety works.)
• 4 cup Water (For pressure cooking. Use 5 cups for an open pot.)
• 1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste.)
• 1 tsp Ghee (Optional, but recommended for flavor and to prevent sticking.)

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse and Soak the Rice

   • Place the parboiled rice in a large bowl. Rinse it under cold running water 3-4 times, gently rubbing the grains with your fingers, until the water runs mostly clear.
   • Drain the water completely. Add enough fresh water to cover the rice by at least an inch and let it soak for a minimum of 30 minutes. This step is crucial for fluffy rice.
   • After soaking, drain all the water from the rice using a fine-mesh sieve.
2. 2

   Pressure Cook the Rice

   • Transfer the drained, soaked rice into a 3-liter or larger pressure cooker.
   • Add 4 cups of fresh water, 1 tsp of salt, and the optional 1 tsp of ghee.
   • Give it a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.
   • Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and place it on the stove over medium-high heat. Cook for 2 whistles.
3. 3

   Rest and Fluff

   • After the second whistle, turn off the heat completely. Do not try to open the cooker.
   • Allow the pressure to release naturally. This will take about 10-15 minutes. This resting period allows the rice to steam perfectly.
   • Once the pressure has fully subsided, carefully open the lid.
   • Use a fork to gently fluff the rice from the sides. This separates the grains without breaking them.
4. 4

   Serve

   • Let the rice sit for another 2-3 minutes before serving.
   • Serve the hot Ukda Tandul with your favorite Maharashtrian dishes like Varan (dal), Amti, or any vegetable curry.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Toor Dal (rinsed well)
• 4 cup Water (divided for cooking and adjusting consistency)
• 0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 3 pcs Green Chili (slit lengthwise)
• 1 inch Ginger (finely grated)
• 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp Coconut Oil (preferably virgin coconut oil for authentic flavor)
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 2 pcs Dried Red Chili (broken into halves)
• 10 pcs Curry Leaves (fresh)
• 0.25 tsp Hing (asafoetida)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (freshly chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Pressure Cook the Dal

   • Wash the toor dal thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Soaking for 30 minutes is optional but helps in faster cooking.
   • In a pressure cooker, combine the rinsed dal, 3 cups of water, and the turmeric powder.
   • Secure the lid and pressure cook on medium heat for 4-5 whistles, or for about 15 minutes, until the dal is completely soft and mushy.
   • Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the cooker.
2. 2

   Prepare the Dal Base

   • Once the pressure has released, open the cooker. Using a whisk or the back of a ladle, mash the cooked dal vigorously until it forms a smooth, creamy paste.
   • Place the cooker pot back on the stove over medium heat. Pour in the remaining 1 cup of water (or more) to achieve a thin, soupy consistency characteristic of Dalithoy.
   • Add the slit green chilies, grated ginger, and salt. Stir everything together well.
3. 3

   Simmer and Infuse Flavors

   • Bring the dal to a gentle boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes. This step is crucial for the flavors of ginger and chili to meld into the dal.