Adasi Recipes

ADASI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium until shimmering. Add the onions, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and become light golden, about 6 minutes.
• Add the cumin and turmeric and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the lentils, then 5 cups water; season with salt. Increase the heat to bring it to a boil.
• Once it comes to a boil, give it stir, then reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cover and let cook until the lentils are tender and creamy without a firm bite, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. (For ultimate creaminess, cook it on low for up to three hours, stirring every hour or so.)
• Remove the lid, stir and let any remaining water cook off, 5 to 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. Use a wooden spoon to mash some of the lentils against the side of the pan to thicken the soup, if desired. Season to taste with salt.
• Spoon into bowls, squeeze the juice of 1 lime wedge into each, drizzle with olive oil, then add a pinch of oregano or herbs, if using, and serve.

JAPANESE AGEDASHI TOFU

Steps:

• Place the block of tofu between sheets of paper towels. Set a plate on top; add a 3- to 5-pound weight to the plate. Press tofu for 15 minutes; drain and discard the accumulated liquid.
• Meanwhile, combine water, soy sauce, mirin, and dashi in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Remove weight, plate, and paper towels. Cut tofu into 3/4-inch cubes. Place flour in a bowl and lightly coat tofu with flour.
• Heat oil in a heavy pot and fry tofu until golden-brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Fry in batches if necessary so as not to overcrowd the pot. Place fried tofu in a serving dish and pour sauce on top. Sprinkle with green onions.

ADA (ADAI)

Steps:

• Place the chana dal, urad dal, moong dal, and rice into a large bowl and cover with several inches of cool water; allow to soak 8 hours to overnight.
• Grind the soaked dal and rice with the salt and red chile peppers into a paste using a mortar and pestle. Add enough water to the mixture to make a batter just thin enough to spread. Stir the cumin seeds into the batter.
• Heat a griddle (or a tawa) over medium heat. Gently grease the griddle with oil on the edges and the middle. Ladle the batter on the tawa and spread into a thin circle using the back of the ladle or a large spoon. Cook for a few minutes and flip over to the other side. Cook a few more minutes, transfer to a plate, and serve immediately. Adas are best eaten hot off the griddle.