Maa ki dal

Or 'mother's lentils', a famously rich and creamy Indian creation also known as dhaabe ki dal.

A dhaaba is a roadside diner, often no more than a shed with a hot clay oven and a few charpais for the truckers passing by. The only selling point is the food, and it is not uncommon to see Hondas and Mercedes parked next to the trucks, all equally helpless in front of the dal's magical lure.

Maa ki dal
Maa ki dal


The recipe is here. I substituted the butter and cream with whipped plain yogurt. The only butter in this dish is in the garnish, drizzled on top of the slivered ginger.

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Emjay
OKAY - you really have to write a book! The little bits of history make the recipe all the more appealing.
Purplesque
Thanks..thats just me being homesick. Lol
Emjay
Oh - I'm sorry you are homesick but these little trivia bits are so interesting and I am really enjoying reading them and your recipes (even if I am not actually cooking much). Don't be offended by that - I don't do much "real" cooking - but I do collect recipe books - the astro-dweeb is always laughing about my recipe book purchases!
Purplesque
Ha ha..thats not offensive at all, emjay, I wish I could get by with not cooking some days!

How interesting that you collect recipe books..any particular kind? My sister has a Huge collection. I have three, and tons of bookmarks online. ( Today, I actually won a cash prize for one of my food pics, and promptly bought this. )
LeendaDLL
I was a kid when, on vacation, my family learned that truckers know what the heck they're doing - if the food wasn't good (and a good deal), they wouldn't stop there.

this looks yummy. is it spicy? it looks a little bit spicy.
Purplesque
So true.

This is very spicy. I toned it down a bit. Usually, the generous amount of fat in the dish balances out the heat.
Lakshmi
Hey congrats. Which picture won? If you ask me, all of your food pictures are hard porn. Really.
Purplesque
The paella picture. It was a very spontaneous entry too..I hadn't expected anything out of it. Thanks!
Robbbiedobbbie
[this is good]
Aww, ((((((hugs)))))) -- being away from home must be so hard sometimes.

That recipe has so many good things in it!! Healthy, too.
And the info re the trucks, etc- fascinating. I'm with Emjay-- book!!! (not that you have spare time)

Purplesque
Thank you! Maybe I should start with a scrapbook..:)
Emjay
Oooh! What a nice looking book! I don't collect any specific cuisine books - I think most of them I have bought off bargain tables! My poor kids have a cupboard full of my cookbooks in their house too. I go through stages where I think I am going to cook ............ :-)
Purplesque
Lol..in psychiatry that would be called 'the contemplative stage'. You're halfway there!
Emjay
After years in the contemplative stage, she was prodded into the Planning Stage by Purplesque's posts. After Purplesque authoured a fabulous "Travelling and Cooking through India" book Emjay finally got in the Action Stage. LOL!
Purplesque
Ha ha..Now you have ensured it will never happen by putting the onus on me. I'm in the pre-pre contemplative stage of writing a book!
Lakshmi
I want an autographed copy when you are past th pre-pre and pre stages.
Purplesque
Ha ha..you can have the original manuscript!
Lakshmi
Which could be super true, if you let me help you publish your book.. remember? I have a publishing gig going? Seriously, if you are interested, I can give you the specifications and as and when you write up a blog entry on some recipe, you can write it up on the template too, and once we are ready we can self-publish through lulu.
Purplesque
Now thats Incredibly tempting. Maybe when we have more time..you won't renege on that offer, will you?

*locks offer up in safe closet*
Singing Horse
[this is good]
I love lentils and lentil soup! I can see why everyone is lured easily by a rich and creamy lentil soup. You should write your own cookbook with some interesting history and anecdotes.
Purplesque
You must try this one then, I'm sure you'll love it. As for the cookbook, Lakshmi is going to help me write one..:)

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