Yellow Dal (The small sized one)

First some Lingo check
I know we call it masoor or moong or something else but i call it Yellow Dal and the other yellow Dal is referred as Phora a.k.a Blister Daal. Don't freak Out - I don't like the other names hence i devised these since my childhood. So Today we are gonna make Yellow Dal.

1) why did u/i make this particular dish? (Possible answer can be 'I was Hungry')

I rather we have been having chicken for the last 3 days Along with tortilla or pita. The Only Change was Beer instead of Coke and then George Happened to mention Lentils and i thought why not give it a shot - Why not try my hand at some lentils.

Now web based research and economics made me conclude that yellow Dal is the most easiest to make because if it had been difficult to make people would go and have yellow Dal and not Dal makhani in restaurants. Hence Yellow Dal it is [Point in case - Talking about north Indians].

2) Raw Materials required and whether alive or dead?

1 Cup Yellow Dal
Tumeric Powder (1/2 Tbl Spoon)
Red Chilly Powder (1/2 Tbl Spoon)
1 Medium sized Onion - Choped fine.
Jeera (1/4 Tbl Spoon)
Green chilly (2 pcs medium sized)
Tomato (1 Medium Size)

3) Level of Effort in terms of Human Man Hours !! (v.imp) - 40 mins - 45 mins

4) Does it certify to be an exotic dish? (Good to have) - No

5) How to make the dish? (I'm so stupid - totally forgot this)

Step a] Wash the Dal with water. Around 3-4 times.
Step b] Using the proportion of 1:3 - Add 3 times water to 1 time Dal.
Step c] Put it on Medium Flame. Don't Cover it
Step d] When the Dal starts to boil froth would start collecting on the top of the pan. Use a Spoon to scoop the Froth out and throw it
* - Not sure why we do it - Web based research didn't tell me the reason but i doubt it - I feel i threw the nutrients away But i might be wrong.
Step e] After the Dal Boils for 5 mins - Add Turmeric Powder.
Step f] Add Salt to Taste.
Step g] If the water seems to be less for the Dal - Add a Lil more water.
Step h] On another Side - Heat a Frying Pan and Add Oil to it.
Step i] Once the Oil is hot - Add Jeera to it. Stir It
* - Pay attention that jeera should not turn black - it means its burnt and then would float on top of Ur lentil.
Step j] Add Onions to the Pan and stir them till Golden.
Step h] Add Red Chilly Powder and Green Chillies finely chopped.
Step j] Stir them together for a min or 2 and then add this mixture which is called 'Tadka' to the Dal or Lentil.
Step h] Mix them Together and Dal's Ready.

6) Anything to taken along with as a side dish or drink? - I love it with White Bread or Parantha if available.

7) Any tip or piece of wisdom which you wish to share !! - NA

Mushroom (Dry)

Just Follow the Exact same thing as Chicken Masala the only thing to keep in mind - You need to put some water after you put in the mushrooms to cook the mushrooms.

Btw Today i made Chicken masala again and it was appreciated by a cannuk.

Chicken Masala

1) why did u/i make this particular dish?

I made this dish to break the monotony of my life thanks to Tim Horton's coffee and doughnuts which i have been having for the last 1 week.

2) Raw Materials Required and whether alive or dead?

500 gm - Chicken thighs/Brests/Legs/... - whatever you wish to make. - Just ensure that its without skin.
3 Full Spoons - Tomato Puree. if not available use grated tomatoes.
2 - Big Sized Onions
2 - Green Chillies
1/2 Table Spoon each- Ginger Garlic
20 gm or less - Parsley a.k.a Dhania
Turmeric Powder, Red Chili Powder, Garam Masala, chicken Masala (Not necessary)
Salt (to taste)
Cooking Oil - Refine Oil/ Ghee (Whatever suits you or is available)

3) Level of Effort in terms of human man hours !! - 60 mins

4) Does it certify to be an exotic dish - For Canadians yes for Indians no.

5) How to make the Dish?

a) Use a Kadaai (Round Bottomed dish) or any flat bottom Dish which according to basic physics laws you think would be able to contain all the ingredients minus 20 % of their size.
b) Heat the Dish on Full flame - Put 2-3 Full spoon of oil in the Dish.
c) Put the onions in when the oil is hot. U shud be able to see fumes rising. Observe.
d) Put Ginger Garlic Paste / Chicken Masala(2 tbl spoon) / Turmeric (1/4 tbl Spoon) / Red Chilly Powder (1/4 tbl Spoon).
e) Mix it all well and let the masala cook a lil - lets say 5-7 mins on medium flame (Keep it covered)
f) Put Tomato Puree or grated tomatoes into the dish and mix it well.
g) Cook till the entire masala takes an even color. (the longer this cooks the better - remember cooks not burns)
h) Put the chicken pieces washed once with water on to the masala and stir it once.
g) Put a lid on and let it cook for 15 mins on medium flame. Chicken would leave its own water so no need to add more water 'now'.
h) Move the chicken pieces upside down and let them cook a lil more.
* If u need more gravy add water at this time.
i) Put the green chillies - Whole piece with a vertical slit across it.
g) Put the gas off and let the chicken cook in its own steam for some time.
h) Take the lid off and put season some garam masala and finely chopped parsley over it.
i) Done.

Anything to be taken along with as a side dish or drink?

If Roti/Indian Bread is not available then use Tortillas.

Every Post Should/Would Contain

For each post here you can expect to find the following data points.
1) why did u/i make this particular dish? (Possible answer can be 'I was Hungry')
2) Raw Materials required and whether alive or dead?
3) Level of Effort in terms of Human Man Hours !! (v.imp)
4) Does it certify to be an exotic dish? (Good to have)
5) How to make the dish? (I'm so stupid - totally forgot this)
6) Anything to taken along with as a side dish or drink?
7) Any tip or piece of wisdom which you wish to share !!

Food

For all Foodies like me who are proud to be their mama's boys. I present that Food 4 Dummies Guide - A essential cookery reference manual which not only talks about the dish but also touches upon the silent but imperative factors which go into making a dish i.e LoE (Level of Effort) driven by CBA (Cost benefit analysis).

In Short this is gonna be first and last attempt to teach fellow men to not do 'self abuse' by eating pizza's and coke and rather develop some cooking skills after all who knows when your wife or girl friend leaves you.

Pre Requisites
1) Madness
2) Spirit of 'Soak'
3) Hunger

P.S: Those of who who can lift their bottoms up from the couch don't worry there's stuff for you too. Just need to look closely.