Chana Saar Upkari

O.K it couldn't get more Konkani than this. This is a standard Konkani dish especially loved in my home. My Maharashtrian husband loves it as well. Its easy and kills two birds with one stone by making the saar and upkari together. If you haven't tried any authentic Konkani fare yet, try this. Served with rice its simply delicioso!

Ingredients

2 cups Black gram/kala chana, soak in water overnight
1 cup grated coconut
6 dry red chillies (bedgi variety)
1 tsp tamarind paste /Tamicom
6 to 8 pods garlic
Water about 4-5 cups
1 tsp mustard seeds
curry leaves 5 to 6
salt
oil

Saar

Cook gram/chana in water by boiling or pressure cook. In either case save the water the chana is cooked in.Add the water into a blender. Add 2 dry red chillies, tamarind paste, 1/2 cup coconut, 1/4 cup cooked chanas,2 pods peeled garlic and salt. Blend together in the blender. Heat the blended saar. Then heat oil in a small pot. Add 3 to 4 pods garlic which have been pounded slightly to break open.Roast garlic till golden brown. Add to saar as saar boils and immediately cover. Saar is ready.

Upkari

Heat oil with mustard seeds, curry leaves and 3 to 4 dry red chillies. When seeds sputter, add cooked chana. Stir well and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.Sprinkle in 1/4 cup shredded coconut. Mis cook till heated through. Serve with saar and rice.