Vegetarian Dalcha ( காய்கறி தால்சா)

Vegetarian Dalcha 

( காய்கறி தால்சா)

Ingredients:

Carrot  - 1

Drumstick  -  1

Indian broad beans  - 4

Brinjal  - 3

Potato  - 1

Cauliflower  - a few florets

French beans  - 4

Pumpkin  - 6 to 8 small pieces

Small onions  - 8

Tomatoes  -  3
Green chilli  - 2
Ginger  - 1"
Garlic  - 5 cloves
Tamarind  - one small lemon size
Boiled Tor dal  - 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder  - 1/2 tsp
Chilli powder  -  1 tsp
Garam Masala powder  - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Seasoning:

Shazeera  - 1 tsp

Cloves  - 2

Bay leaves  - 2

Cardamom  - 2

Cinnamon  - 2 sticks

To grind:

Soak Almonds & Cashew nuts  - 4 each    

Steps:

Wash and cut the vegetables into small pieces.

Slit the chillies, slice the tomatoes. Fine chop the garlic and ginger
Extract juice from the soaked tamarind.

Peel the almonds and grind to a smooth paste with cashew nuts

Heat oil in a pot

Add all the seasoning, followed by ginger and garlic

Add drumstick pieces first, saute for a minute, then add onions

Add rest of the vegetables one by one and cook in medium flame

                                                     

Once the vegetables are half cooked, add the tamarind juice

Add turmeric powder, chilli powder and garam masala. Cover with a lid and cook for 2 to 3 min

Once the vegetables are cooked and the raw smell of the chilli powder and garam masala has gone, add the boiled tor dal and the ground almond paste. Adjust the consistency by adding water.

Bring it to boil. 

Remove the aromatic, salivating Dalcha from flame. Garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves.
My Notes:
This quantity serves 6 to 8 people. It best suits with plain basmati rice also go well with briyani / pulav.
The choice of vegetables can be altered based on the availability and liking.
I learnt this recipe after coming to Singapore. The non-vegetarian version is a very famous Hyderabadi dish. Being a vegetarian, I haven't tried that. Here in Singapore, the vegetarian dalcha is served with basmati rice in weddings. Some local restaurants also do serve.