Katachi Amti

Here the pan in which we made the puran poli stuffing is used for making this recipe. The leftover stuffing which stuck to the pan will help to make this amti flavorful. I have adapted this recipe from a Marathi Cuisine cookbook. In this book, it is mentioned that, many household make it with chana dal. In that case they boil very little amount of chana dal (I would say about 2 tablespoons of dal) with more water. After boiling, mash the dal and use that thin dal to make amti. It is also mentioned that some households like to add onion here. In that case, while preparing tadka, add finely chopped onion after adding curry leaves. Saute till translucent then add tamarind water and then process is same. If translate the dish name katachi amti word by word, kat means the dal water. Amti means thin, spiced soup consistency which as sour taste. In this case it comes from tamarind. Check out more Maharashtrian recipes Varan bhaat  //  Amti dal  //  Bharli bhendi  //  Karanji

Step By Step Photo Instructions:

1. Take coconut, sesame and cumin seeds in a pan on medium heat.
2. Dry roast them with stirring continuously till it is light brown in color. Remove to a plate or bowl and let it cool completely.
3. While it is cooling, add strained dal water to the pan (in which we made puran poli stuffing). The leftover filling that stick to the pan will help to thicken the amti and also adds flavor. Turn the heat on medium.
4. Now roasted masala is cooled, grind it into powder.
5. As dal water warms up, scrap the sides and bottom of the pan using spoon and mix it well.
6. As it simmers the white foam will appear, don’t worry, as it boils it will go away.
7. For tempering, heat the oil in small pan on medium heat. Once hot add cinnamon stick, cloves and bay leaf. Saute for 30-45 seconds or till you get nice aroma of the spices.
8. Add curry leaves.
9. Add tamarind paste and water. If using whole tamarind then add tamarind water.
10. Be careful while adding water, it will splutter as we are adding water to oil. Now turn off the stove.
11. Add red chili powder, salt and goda masala.
12. Immediately add the tadka to the amti.
13. Mix well.
14. Add spice powder, mix.
15. Taste and see if you need some jaggery or not. Addition of jaggery will depend on how much leftover stuffing you have in the pan. You might not need to add it like me. So taste and adjust.
16. Let it simmer till you get your desired consistency. I simmered for 3-4 minutes only. Serving suggestion: This is served with puran poli, Potato bhaji and plain rice to make complete meal. Did you try this katachi amti recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.