Basic besan masala - Bombay chutney

Bombay chutney is a popular name for this basic masal for iddlis, dosas or chapathis/rotis. Different versions of this masal depends on the vegetables used. In this recipe, I have used vegetables like carrots and peas. Onions can be added, but recipe here is a 'no onion' version. It's a number one weight watcher's recipe. I think 'Kadapa' is another popular name for this dish.

Ingredients:

Vegetables - 1 cup (I used a cup of frozen mixed vegetables consisting of diced carrots, peas, corn, green beans and lime beans)

Besan flour - half cup

Water - 4 cups (depending on the consistency you prefer)

Green chillis - 4 (depends on how spicy you prefer)

Oil for seasoning - 1 tablespoon

Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon

Urud dal - 1 tablespoon

Turmeric powder - half teaspoon

Asafoetida powder - a pinch

Curry leaves - a sprig

Salt as required

Lemon/Lime extract - 1 tablespoon

Coriander leaves - finely chopped

Method:

Heat oil in a kadai and add the mustard seeds, when it pops, add urud dal. When it turns golden, add the green chillis and vegetables and stir well.

Pour 2 cups water and add a little salt and curry leaves.

When the water starts bubbling, add turmeric powder and asafoetida powder.

Meanwhile, whisk the besan in remaining two cups water avoiding lumps.

When the vegetables are cooked add the besan water and keep stirring. 

You will notice the consistency thickening.

Adjust water until the masal thickens as well as the raw besan smell goes away.

After the content thickens, turn off heat and add lemon juice after 5 minutes and garnish with chopped coriander leaves before serving.

Goes well with iddlis, dosas and chapathi/rotis.

Other versions:

1. Sauté onions before adding the vegetables.

2. Sauté onions and a couple of chopped tomatoes before adding the vegetables. In that case, you don't have to add the lemon juice.

3. Just sauté the chopped tomatoes and add the vegetables. You don't have to add the tomatoes.

4. Substitute with red chilli powder for green chillis. But green chilli masal is much tastier.

5. You can make this masal with just 'Onion and tomato' or 'tomato' alone. You don't have to add any other vegetable.

Please share your versions of this recipe in the comment section.