This is my mom's way of using up the leftover varan (boiled plain toor dal) from the previous day or morning and transforming it from a baby's comfort food to an adult's. If in mood for a quick fix- this dal can be made in under 30 minutes.


Varan is the marathi equivalent of the Gujarati moli dal.


Serves 4


Ingredients

2 cups toor dal- boiled
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4th tsp asafoetida
2 tbsp jaggery
salt to taste
2-3 tbsp lime juice or as per taste
2 tbsp coriander-chopped


For the tempering

3 tbsp oil
1/2 tbsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 small green chilies chopped
6-8 curry leaves
2 small cloves garlic finely chopped


1. Blend the toor dal with a blender, add the turmeric, asafoetida, salt and jaggery and enough water to keep it thick instead of a very thin watery dal.
2. Boil this mixture for 15-20 minutes- This is the marathi Sadha Varan ("Plain Dal")- The Gujarati maharashtrians add jaggery- others dont.
3. Heat 3 tbsp oil, add in the mustard seeds and when they pop add the chili powder, garlic, green chili and curry leaves and add this tempering to the sadha varan.
4. Let boil for 15-20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let simmer.
5. Add in the lime juice and coriander and serve hot with rice and rotis.