"Emotion on Dalitoy" …
** Dalitoy is not just tuvar dal cooked and given a panna/ tempering/ tadka, its much more than that ... for GSB's it's an "emotion" as it has a history of taking us all down memory lane to childhood days as it sure has been a part and parcel of our journey through life ... it has an attachment to memories of Ammas hands that mixed dalitoy with rice and fed us through childhood ... a little bit of dalitoy is one of the first to be added to gurdilele duddha sheetHa (mashed rice with milk) to be served to toddlers thereby inducing the taste to last for a lifetime ... nothing can be more welcoming to a tired body or for those recovering from illness than savoring home cooked dalitoy-sheetHa (dal- chawal) topped with a generous tablespoon of homemade toopa/ ghee ...
** Most of us amchies never seem to tire of this hing (asfoetida) flavored aromatic dal even if served on daily basis and though there are many dishes prepared with tuvar dal like ambat, kolumbo etc. nothing beats our love for Dalitoy ... oh, yes, it is for the very same reason we often refer to it as amgele kuladevu (meaning our family deity), at times it is jokingly also referred to as DDT, oh no, here ddt means daatHa- Dali- Toya (which in konkani means thick spiced dal) ... when we go back on age there was a time when DDT (thick dal) use to be served just to savour as it is during meals (said in konkani as "burkucheka") and trust me it gives a satisfied pleasure of it own ...
** Dalitoy though is widely served with rice, it is also relished with other dishes like roti, Idly, buns etc. just by changing a little bit in texture ... at functions or in temples during festive season a meal without dalitoy is unheard of ... I still remember vividly when I was still young maybe all of 8 yrs old, I was reluctant to eat spicy dishes, Amma always prepared balls out of mashed rice and rolled them in thick dalitoy and I relished it blissfully taking it to be Mitai- Oondo (Motichoor Laddoo), sigh, those were the days … we should always acknowledge and be thankful to our ancestors knowledge of combining food for meals appropriately in correct portions and concoctions though they were ignorant of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, the endless list of vitamins- minerals etc.
** However, those meals were perfectly balanced, healthy and in their culinary journey “Dalitoy” always walked the road along with them ... dal is good source of protein and recent study/ nutritionists mention that a small bowl of the same is excellent to be added during meals for our daily requirement ... if for any reason it has reached the back shelves in your lifestyle/ diet patterns, then don't hesitate to bring it back to front row, where it rightfully belongs ... off course for almost every GSB “Dalitoy” has always made way through stomach into their hearts and is sure to stay there forever ... but then there is a little bit caution too that must be observed by those who need to watch on their protein or uric acid levels as it may not be much advisable for them to consume it freely …
** By now every GSB Konkani Saraswat/ Amchigele who is reading this is sure to travel down memory lane each one having their own type of emotional attachment with “Dalitoy” … and if you do want to come out in the open and have your say too, you are welcome to mention your “Emotion on Dalitoy” on comment section. As for us in my home “Dalitoy” is an emotion and our lifeline when it comes to meals, nothing in this world can change the taste of steaming hot dalitoy- sheetHa (dal- chawal) topped with a dollop of toop/ ghee and I am sure it’s there to stay for a very long time to come or should I say, it will stay here forever for coming generations to savor with rice too ...
** You can check out the traditional method of preparing “Dalitoy (Spiced Tuvar Dal)” Recipe in my Blog, at the link provided below, Please do try it out and savor the same with family and friends …
** Disclaimer : These are Just my own Thoughts I pen down from time to time. Not meant to offend/ hurt anybody's sentiments, do excuse if done, as it is not intentional. The picture has been clicked and edited by me and belongs exclusively to me. Having written My Thoughts and Notes, I still conclude that LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL and Good Food plays and important role in our life for sure, it not only gives us immense satisfaction, but also binds the family together. Always be Positive, have Faith In God, he knows the best for us, and does so at the appropriate time … Stay Safe- Blessed and have a lovely year 2022.
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Thanks.