Dhal Pitha Soup

"Making Dhal Pitha is like creating a warm, comforting bowl of dumplings in flavorful lentil soup. It's a quick and delicious recipe that I prepare in my Instant Pot Duo".

Ingredients:
For the Dhal (Lentil Soup)
1 1/2 cups Split Red Lentils 1/4 Onion, Sliced
1/2 Small Tomato, Diced 1 Green Chilli
1 Teaspoon Turmeric
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Hing (Asafoetida) Fresh Coriander
6 Cups Water 15g Butter
 
For the Dhal Pitha (Dumplings):
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour 1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil 1/2 Cup Hot Water
 
For the Tempered Spices:
4-5 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds 1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
1 Sprig Curry Leaves
2 Small Shallots, Diced
3 Cloves Garlic, Sliced
1 Green Chilli
2 Dried Red Chillies 1/4 Teaspoon Turmeric

Method
1. In your Instant Pot, combine the washed split red lentils, diced tomatoes, sliced onions, a green chilli, turmeric, salt, and hing. Mix them together and add 6 cups of water. Close the lid and pressure cook for 20 minutes.
2. While the lentils are cooking, prepare the Pitha (dumplings). In a deep bowl, mix 1 cup of flour, turmeric, salt, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil until it looks like breadcrumbs.
3. Gradually add a little hot water at a time, stirring until the mixture becomes thick enough to knead. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough and have fun shaping it. The easiest shape is to cut the dough into vertical strips and then diagonally to make diamond shapes. Place the diamonds on a floured surface.
5. Heat 4-5 tablespoons of oil in a pan until it's hot. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves, dried and fresh chillies, shallots, garlic, turmeric, and masala. Let this temper for 2-3 minutes.
6. When the lentils finish pressure cooking, switch to the sauté function and add the tempered spices, followed by the diamond-shaped Pithas.
7. Once the Pithas start floating to the surface, they're ready.
8. To finish the dish, add 1 tablespoon of butter and fresh coriander, giving it one final mix.

Enjoy your homemade Dhal Pitha!