Dalitoy | Nita

A simple Konkani-style dal that contains no onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, or coriander leaves.

The flavour comes purely from asafoetida and a tempering of mustard seeds, dried red chillies, and fresh curry leaves in coconut oil. For those who aren’t fond of the aroma of coconut oil, a neutral oil or ghee can be used as alternatives.

This dal is a staple in Konkani households, prepared almost daily, earning it the affectionate title of “Kuldev,” or family deity.

It was my father’s all-time favourite dal. He especially loved it when I made it for him. He would always say, “Give me a little rice and a big bowl of Dalitoy.” My son, too, shares this fondness and adds his own twist when I prepare it. He enjoys enhancing the tempering with a few extra dried red chillies for a more robust flavour.

Dalitoy

Method:

1. Wash the toor dal and soak it in hot water for about 10 minutes to speed up the cooking process.
2. Pressure cook the dal until soft. Blend it well and add water to adjust it to the desired consistency.
3. Add asafoetida water, salt, slit green chillies, and a few curry leaves to the cooked dal. Bring it to a rolling boil.
4. Heat a small pan and add coconut oil. When hot, add mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add the dried red chillies, powdered asafoetida (if using), and curry leaves.
5. Pour this tempering over the hot dal.

Serve with white rice, a vegetable stir-fry, and papad for a wholesome meal.

Watch this recipe here – Dalitoy

Nita comes from a culturally rich background, with her father being Konkani and her mother a Punjabi Sikh. Growing up in Mangalore, she was also influenced by the flavours of Tulunadu cuisine, making her culinary repertoire a unique blend of North and South Indian traditions.

A gold medallist in college, Nita worked at Larsen & Toubro in Mumbai before transitioning to a career as a sub-broker at the Mangalore Stock Exchange. She later chose to step away from her professional life to focus on raising her children.

Now, with her children settled, Nita has embarked on a journey to share her love for cooking. Her passion for the culinary arts began in childhood, and she now combines her love for food with aesthetics by presenting dishes beautifully and creating recipe videos to preserve them for future generations.

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