The Dal like

This is hard work! Not lazy at all.
Ok. So there were two things. Ro -Short cuts to Dals and D -  Rasahalwa. Hmmm where do I begin....

Dal. This is easy if you have a pressure cooker. All yellow Dal's ( thoor, chana, moong, masur) can be cooked without soaking. Dals with chilka (whole pulses) have to be soaked 2-6 hours depending on dal.

Simple Tadka - Its called tempering, chownk, talichi.... Used for yellows
Cook dal until done. You could add turmeric and salt while cooking. I add it later. Both work. Then, in a tempering spoon or small kadai, heat a spoon of oil or ghee or butter. To it, add one of the following tadkas

1. Jeera, green chillies, hing - the simplest, one I like best. Can top up with coriander, lime(if toor)

2. Mustard seeds, hing, udad dal, kadi patta, red chillies.

3. Jeera, Onion, ginger, garlic, tomato, green or red chillies

4. Jeera, all powders mixed with a bit of water so as no to burn - jeera, coriander, hing, turmeric, red chilli powder.

5 Jeera, bay leaf, whole clove, cinnamon.

Basically, use whatever you have and try combinations. Usually works if you go..Mmh.. This is really yummm..such interesting flavors...

For the whole dals, grind ( or chop fine) onion, garlic, red chilli, black pepper, some whole spices or garam masala. Oil. Heat. Saute until cooked. Add tomato puree and cook again. You could add tomato with the onion. Works ok enough.
 Cooked soaked dal. Will take about 20 mins to cook. Add sautéd paste to cooked dal and give it a couple of whistles.

That's it. Pics later. Or ...Google :p

Apple pie

Ro said today that he likes home apple pie. So here goes. The 20 min recipe.

Pick an apple or two. Peel (can avoid), core, slice thinly. Real thin. Sliver types.
Short crust - Maida (flour!). Rub with lots of butter till it looks like flakes. Add a real small bit of cold water and bring together as dough ( just enough to retain shape. Don't knead) . Wrap. Keep in freezer for 10 mins ( can avoid if lazy).
Spread dough onto pie tin. 1/4 inch thick. Fill with apple, sugar, honey, cinnamon, butter. That's it. Bake till its done.

Be the best you you can be. Kung fu Panda philosophy :p

And oh...we had with ice cream. Was good ya.