Varan is Maharashtrian preparation of Dal that uses Tuvar and moong Dal. It is a unique dish which not only forms part of an everyday meal of Maharashtrian family, but also is an important dish to be served in weddings or even as an offering to deity.
Varan along with Bhat (steamed rice) forms the part of what we know as comfort food. I prepare this dish on every festive occasion and especially during Ganesh Chaturthi as an offering to Lord Ganesh.
It is also one of those preparations that I ask my Mom to make for me when I visit my parents. I still like the Varan prepared by my mom more than what I prepare. Everyone likes to get pampered once in a while.
Make this simple Varan recipe with steamed rice for those days when you are in no mood to slog in kitchen and want to just laze around. Share your feedback in the comment section below
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Serves: 4-5
- 150 grams Toor Dal (pigeon peas split)
- 75 grams split yellow moong dal
- 60 grams drumsticks cut in pieces of 3-4 inches
- 200 grams tomatoes finely chopped
- 1 and ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp asafoetida
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- few curry leaves
- 2 and ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 10-12 cloves of garlic
- 5-6 green chilies
- ½ cup fresh coriander leaves
- 50 grams grated fresh coconut
- Cooking Oil
- Salt
- Mix toor and moong dal together and wash them clean under tap water. Soak them for 15 mins and keep it aside.
- Blend green chilies, garlic, coriander, cumin seeds and grated coconut together into a fine paste adding little water.
- Green masala paste should be fine.
- Drain the water from dal.Pressure cook Dals with drumsticks, tomatoes, turmeric powder and water till the level of dal.
- Pressure cook for 3 whistles on medium flame.
- After 3 whistles, turn off the flame.Let the pressure release by normal release method.
- When pressure dies down completely, open the lid.
- Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pan.Add mustard seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves.
- Add masala paste and fry till we get rid of raw smell.
- After 3-4 mins, add cooked dal.
- Add salt as per taste, and mix it well.
- Consistency of Varan can be adjusted to suit one's preference. If you like thin Varan, add some more water. Cook on medium flame until we get one boil.
- Varan is cooked for 5 mins on medium flame.
- Stir the varan in between to avoid the masala from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- After 5 mins turn off the flame.
- Varan can be relished with steamed rice.
Check more Dal recipe
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Looks yummy and easy to make. Thanks Smita.
Thank You Sujata for your feedback. As you said, it is indeed very delicious and easy to make.
Good recipe. Just a query, I thought ‘varan’ is cooked plain without any veggies.
Thanks Rita for stopping by and posting your query!
In Maharashtra, there are many ways by which Dal or Varan gets cooked. A simple thin consistency varan with only ghee tadka is good for kids and old people , the elaborate varan recipe as we have given is favorite for festivals , Ambat( Sour) varan with dash of kokam in it and Varan without garlic, onion is for Ganeshotsav naivedyam!!
We hope it resolves your query! Please do try and let us know the feedback! Keep visiting, enjoy cooking!!
Super try it awesome recipe
Thanks for the recipe will surely try it
Why is there no jaggery in this recipe?