Best Easy Amti Recipe

Amti is a protein-rich Indian lentil curry that's both nutritious and deeply satisfying. This healthy vegetarian dish is ideal for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and supports a calorie deficit lifestyle.

Cook 50 min Difficulty NORMAL 260 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean #diabetic friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • Toor dal (split pigeon peas) 1 cup
  • Water 4 cups
  • Tomato 1 medium
  • Onion 1 medium
  • Coconut (shredded, unsweetened) 2 tbsp
  • Curry leaves 10 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Turmeric powder 0.5 tsp
  • Coriander powder 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds 1 tsp
  • Mustard seeds 0.5 tsp
  • Red chili powder 1 tsp
  • Garam masala 0.5 tsp
  • Salt 1 tsp
  • Oil (preferably vegetable or sunflower) 1 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 38 g 58%
Protein 13 g 20%
Fat 6 g 22%
Serving size 250g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Rinse the toor dal thoroughly and soak in water for 30 minutes to aid even cooking.

  2. 2

    In a pot or pressure cooker, combine soaked dal, 4 cups of water, turmeric, and half the salt. Cook on medium heat until the dal is soft and can be mashed easily (about 20–25 minutes in a pot or 3–4 whistles in a pressure cooker).

  3. 3

    While dal cooks, heat oil in a large pan over medium flame. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. When seeds crackle, immediately add curry leaves and sauté for 30 seconds.

  4. 4

    Add chopped onion to the pan, sauté on medium heat until translucent. Then stir in tomato, shredded coconut, coriander powder, and chili powder, cooking until tomatoes soften and release juices.

  5. 5

    Pour the cooked dal mixture into the pan. Stir well, add garam masala and remaining salt, and simmer on low heat for 10–12 minutes to blend flavors. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What are the key ingredients that give Amti its characteristic flavor?
The essential ingredients in this Amti recipe are toor dal (split pigeon peas), which provide the base and protein, along with curry leaves, coconut, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and a blend of Indian spices like coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. These work together to create the unique and rich flavor profile that defines Amti.
Q. What's important about heat control when cooking Amti?
Precise heat control is crucial, especially when tempering spices in oil—mustard and cumin seeds must be added to hot oil and allowed to crackle but not burn. Keeping the pan at medium heat during the onion-tomato sauté phase also prevents scorching, and simmering the final dal on low ensures proper melding of flavors without overcooking or thickening the curry excessively.
Q. How can I ensure my Amti has the right creamy yet light texture?
Soaking and thoroughly cooking the toor dal until it can be easily mashed is key to achieving a creamy base. Avoid overcooking during the final simmer; gently mixing the cooked dal into the spiced tomato-onion base and simmering on low heat for 10–12 minutes helps retain a light, pourable consistency without becoming mushy.
Q. What is the nutritional breakdown of this Amti recipe?
Each 250g serving contains about 260 kcal, with roughly 38g carbohydrates (58% of calories), 13g protein (20%), and 6g fat (22%). This makes Amti a protein-rich, fiber-filled vegetarian dish suitable for balanced diets and those seeking calorie-conscious, plant-based nutrition.
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