Dal Chawal Palita is a lentil and rice casserole served with a gram flour gravy on the side. It is a traditional Bohri cuisine recipe, served as dinner the night before Eid!
Lemon juice and Lemon pickle optional, to serve alongside
Instructions
Dal chawal (lentil rice) preparation
Wash and soak the rice and toor dal separately for about 15-20 minutes.
In a deep pot, bring 2 cups of water to boil, drain the rice and add it to the boiling water. Add ½ tsp salt and 1 tsp oil. Mix well and let it cook on medium heat till the rice is just about cooked and there is still some water left.
In a separate pot, heat 1 tsp oil, add the soaked and drained dal.
Add ¼ tsp turmeric and 1/4 tsp salt. Add 1 cup water and let it cook on medium flame till the dal is cooked and there is no water. The water added is just enough so that the dal is cooked dry, and not like a regular lentil preparation where it has a lot of water. The dal should not be mushy. If there is excess water drain the dal. You can use this water in cooking palita.
In a broader pot, layer the rice, dal and sprinkle dried deep fried onions on top. Put the pot on low heat until the rice is cooked through. You can also keep it in the oven on the lowest temperature setting to slowly cook and stay warm.
Palita preparation:
In a pressure cooker, heat 3 tbsp oil. Once the oil is hot, add chopped onions, chilies and ginger garlic paste. Sauté for 5 mins until the onions start to turn soft.
Mix in besan (gram flour) and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Add coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt. Mix well and after about a minute add about 3 cups of water. The palita is very runny, almost soup like consistency
Add the chopped tomatoes and kokum/dried amchoor pieces. Close the cooker and pressure cook on high for 2 whistles. Reduce the flame and let it cook on low for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, remove the pressure cooker from heat and let it stand till all the steam has escaped on its own.
to serve
Lightly mix the dal chawal and dried onions and serve with palita on the side.
Serve yourself first some dal-chawal and then add palita on top. Mix it all up. Add a little lemon juice and/or lemon pickle to taste.