Raw Mango Dal Fry

 

Yesterday, it was one of the rare occasions, I was dropping my grand daughter, who is in std. III, to school.

We were travelling in her car when all at once she spotted a tree. Nani, mango tree she shouted in glee. I asked her,  Kacche aam khaayi ho? Her expression was like "are you crazy", fruits are eaten only once they are ripe. I realized why she thought this way. Concrete jungles have robbed us of resting under a tree. I remembered my childhood. Bandra West was a beautiful suburb, small bungalows with fruit trees in their backyard was a common sight. In the summer vacations when the mango tree was laden with raw mango, the owner would take extra care to protect his fruit. Children are naughty sometimes little devils, they can be cruel for a little fun. We were no different. As soon as we got the opportunity when the Mali or the Owners of the house were enjoying their siesta, we girls would form a group. The one who could climb trees would be the leader, she would climb the tree and we would stand below to collect the loot as she plucked them and throw them to the ground.

Sometimes the local dogs would bark and the Mali or Owner would wake up and all hell would break loose, leaving our leader on the tree and we dash for shelter.

Some days  we would quietly return to one of our houses with the treasure, then one girl slipped to get salt the other for chilli powder and the third for a pen -knife.

In those days getting knives was difficult. Our mothers used "Villi" to cut fruit and vegetables.

Today, I pulled this "Villi" from my attic only to show the younger readers.
The taste of raw mango with salt and chilli powder, ahh, at 61 my mouth still waters when I see a raw mango.

Today I share a recipe of Raw Mango Dal Fry.


Ingredients :

• 1/2 cup tuvar dal
• 2tbs yellow moong dal
• 1tbs channa dal
• 1/2 raw mango cut in quarters
• 2 green chillies, sliced
• 1/4 tsp methi seeds
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch of hing
• 1/4tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1tsp jiggery

Method:

• Mix the dals and cook them in a pressure cooker 4 whistles.
• Heat 2 tbs ghee
• To the hot ghee add methi , mustard, hing,  green chillies and raw mango pieces.
• Cook for a min add chilli powder and immediately pour the cooked dal, add salt and haldi, adjust the gravy.
• Add jiggery and boil the dal for 5 mins
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with Rice or Parathas.

Enjoy your meal and remember your childhood.

Did you innocently rob raw mangoes like me ? If yes, then this recipe will have another taste.

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