Soy-Free Maharashtrian Aamti

Delight your taste buds with Soy-Free Maharashtrian Aamti, a comforting and flavorful lentil curry that brings the authentic taste of Maharashtra to your table. Crafted with hearty toor dal (pigeon peas) and a perfect balance of tangy tamarind, sweet jaggery, and aromatic spices like cumin, mustard seeds, and asafoetida, this traditional recipe is both simple and satisfying. Unlike many other versions, this aamti is completely soy-free, making it an excellent choice for those with dietary restrictions. The garlic- and curry leaf-infused tempering adds a burst of flavor, while fresh coriander elevates every bite. Ready in just under an hour, this wholesome dish is best served hot with steamed rice or soft chapatis for a soul-warming meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or festive occasions, this recipe is your gateway to enjoying authentic Indian home-cooking at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Toor dal (pigeon peas)
• 3 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons Tamarind pulp
• 1 tablespoon Jaggery (or brown sugar)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Mustard seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 0.25 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Green chilies, slit
• 8 Curry leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 2 tablespoons Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.

Step 2

In a pressure cooker, add the rinsed toor dal and 3 cups of water. Add turmeric powder and close the lid.

Step 3

Cook on medium heat for about 4-5 whistles or until the dal becomes soft and mushy. Let the steam release naturally.

Step 4

Once the pressure settles, open the cooker and mash the dal with a ladle for a smooth texture.

Step 5

In a small bowl, dissolve the tamarind pulp in a little water.

Step 6

Transfer the mashed dal to a pot and place it on medium heat. Add the tamarind water, jaggery, and salt to the dal. Bring it to a gentle boil.

Step 7

In a separate pan, heat oil on medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.

Step 8

Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, minced garlic, green chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is golden brown.

Step 9

Add this tempering to the boiling dal mixture along with red chili powder. Stir well.

Step 10

Lower the heat and let the aamti simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 11

Turn off the heat and garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves.

Step 12

Serve hot with steamed rice or chapati.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1167.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1078.8

Total Fat 19.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2444.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 186.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.0g	0%
Total Sugars 31.6g
Protein 52.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 564.3mg	0%
Iron 15.4mg	0%
Potassium 4204.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.6%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 66.0%