Chakulya(Indian Dal with whole wheat dumplings)

Was feeling out of it for the past few days. Have a cough and a cold, and was craving for some home made comfort food, just like my aaji used to make for me, comforting and spicy! Wish she was here to make it for me, but she is not so had to make it myself...

Ingredients -
For Dumplings -

1/2 Cup Whole wheat flour
1 Tsp. Salt
Warm water
1 Tsp. oil

Knead the dough with salt and water. I don't have the exact amount of water I use :)
But the dough should be a little hard than usual Roti dough. Rub with oil and keep aside.

For the Dal -
1/2 Cup Split Red Gram(split pigeon peas)
1 Tsp. Turmeric
2 Tsp. Red Chilli powder
1 Tbsp. Dhania Jeera Powder
1 Tbsp. Dried Coconut grated Toasted
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Tbsp. Cilantro
1 Tsp. Jeera(Cumin Seeds)
1 Tsp. whole brown mustard
1 Tsp. Canola or Vegetable oil
2-3 Curry leaves (Optional)

Wash the Red Gram until the water runs clear. Cook with 1/3 Cup water, add the turmeric and 1 tsp. oil. Let it come to a boil and then simmer until the dal is tender. Turn off the heat and let it rest. Meanwhile, in a small food processor, grind together the garlic toasted coconut flakes and cilantro. Mix in with the cooked dal. Mix until it becomes a pasty consistency. Then add salt, chili powder and around 1/4 cup warm water.
Now we are going to temper the dal. You need to be quick with this, otherwise things might burn :)
Take another small sauce pan, heat oil. It has to be really hot. Add the cumin and whole mustard seeds. Add curry leaves. Careful everything is going to splatter. This is normal. Add the entire oil to the Dal. Splattering again lol!

Dal is ready. Now let the Dal boil again. Until you roll out a flat roti out of the dough. Cut this roti into diamonds like so......

Drop these into the dal and let it simmer until the dumplings are cooked for around 5-7 minutes.

Serve with Kachrya (Crispy potato Subzi) and Rice. Yumo!