Akkha Masoor (Kolhapuri Style)
Akkha Masoor is a spiced preparation of whole brown lentils from the Kolhapuri cuisine in Maharashtra. The word akkha means whole or entire in Marathi, while masoor refers to brown lentils. Unlike the creamy Whole Masoor Dal, this dish has a semi-dry consistency and is flavored with roasted coconut, sesame seeds and spices. This Akkha Masoor recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
About Akkha Masoor
I first tasted Akkha Masoor during a visit to Kolhapur. It was served with chapati, rice and Amti at a temple campus. The dish was flavorful without being overly spicy, and I liked it enough to take another serving.
I later recreated the recipe from my memory of its taste and aroma. While this may not be the traditional recipe, the flavor came quite close to the Akkha Masoor I had in Kolhapur.
My version is slightly hot and spicy, but you can adjust the spice powders to your taste. I have used Garam Masala along with roasted desiccated coconut and sesame seeds so that the recipe can be made with ingredients commonly available in Indian kitchens.
If you have Kolhapuri masala, you can use it instead of garam masala for a more regional flavor. Goda Masala or Amti masala can also be used, though each will give the dish a slightly different taste.
This recipe has a semi-dry consistency. You can reduce the water for a drier preparation or add more water to make it slightly curry-like. Serve Akkha Masoor with chapati, roti, bhakri or steamed rice.
For more recipes from Kolhapuri cuisine, try Veg Kolhapuri and Paneer Kolhapuri.
How to make Akkha Masoor (Stepwise)
Cook Masoor & More Prep
1. Rinse ½ cup whole masoor dal (brown lentils) very well in water a couple of times.
2. Then take the rinsed masoor lentils in a pressure cooker along with 1 cup water. Pressure cook on medium heat for 10 to 11 minutes or for 4 to 5 whistles.
3. When the pressure drops down naturally on its own, then only remove the lid and check the lentils. The lentils should be cooked well yet separate.
They should not be mushy. If you get a slight bite in them, then pressure cook for 1 to 2 whistles more.
4. When the lentils are cooking, heat up a small pan and add 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds. On a low heat roast the sesame seeds for a minute or till they change color and start to pop.
5. Then add 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut.
6. On a low heat, with a continuous stir, roast both the ingredients, till the coconut becomes golden.
7. Remove and set aside.
8. Once this mixture becomes warm or cools down, add them to a dry grinder.
9. Without adding water, grind to a fine mixture. Keep aside.
Make Masala Base
10. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and add ⅓ cup finely chopped onions.
11. Stir and sauté on a low to medium heat till the onions start to turn light golden.
12. Then add 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste.
13. Stir and sauté for some seconds till the raw aroma of ginger-garlic goes away.
14. Next add ½ cup chopped tomatoes.
15. Stir and sauté the tomatoes on medium heat till they soften and become pulpy.
16. Now add the following spices:
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder – you can also add ½ teaspoon of goda masala or Kolhapuri masala instead of garam masala
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
17. Stir and mix well to combine.
18. Then add 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves. Mix again.
19. Add the ground sesame seeds + desiccated coconut mixture.
20. Mix and stir again.
Make Akkha Masoor
21. Add the cooked masoor lentils along with ½ cup of the stock in which the masoor dal was pressure cooked.
If the stock is less, then add overall a half cup of the stock + water. You can also add only ½ cup water.
22. Season with salt.
23. Stir well.
24. Simmer on a low to medium heat without a lid for 5 to 6 minutes.
25. When you see some specks of oil floating on the top, the curry is done. I kept some gravy in the recipe, which looks like a lot of gravy, but is actually not.
For a completely dry curry, add less water and cook till all the water evaporates.
26. Garnish with some chopped coriander leaves and Serve Kolhapuri style Akkha Masoor hot with some soft Chapati, Bajra Roti or Jowar Roti or steamed rice.
You can also have this delicious lentil dish with bread or pav.
Helpful Tips
- Use fresh lentils: Make this dish with fresh whole brown lentils. Aged lentils take longer to cook and may not soften evenly.
- Soak the lentils: Soak the whole masoor for 1 to 2 hours before cooking. This helps the lentils cook faster and more evenly.
- Choose the cooking method: You can cook the lentils in a pressure cooker or in a pot or pan on the stovetop. Adjust the quantity of water and cooking time according to the method used.
- Keep the lentils whole: Cook the lentils until tender but still holding their shape. They should not become mushy, as the separate whole lentils give Akkha Masoor its characteristic texture.
- Roast the coconut carefully: Roast the coconut, sesame seeds and spices on low heat until aromatic. Do not let them burn, as this can make the masala and the finished dish taste bitter.
- Adjust the spiciness: For a spicier dish, add more red chili powder or some chopped green chilies. Reduce the chili powder for a milder version.
- Use the available masala: If you do not have garam masala, use Kolhapuri masala powder. Goda masala can also be used, but it will give the dish a slightly different flavor.
- Adjust the consistency: Add water according to whether you want the dish dry, semi-dry or slightly curry-like. Add it gradually, as the masala and lentils will thicken further while cooking.
More Lentil Recipes To Try
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Akkha Masoor Recipe (Kolhapuri style)
Ingredients
For Cooking Lentils
- ½ cup whole masoor (brown lentils)
- 1 cup water – for pressure cooking
For Roasting & Grinding
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil or sunflower oil
- ⅓ cup or 1 medium-sized onion – finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- ½ cup or 1 medium-sized tomato – chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves – chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala or kolhapuri masala or goda masala
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ cup water – added later
- salt – as required
- 1 to 2 tablespoons coriander leaves – chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Pressure Cooking Lentils
- Rinse the whole masoor dal or brown lentils very well in water a couple of times.
- Then take the rinsed masoor lentils in a 2 litre pressure cooker along with 1 cup water. Pressure cook on medium heat for 10 to 11 minutes or for 4 to 5 whistles.
- When the pressure drops down on its own, then only remove the lid and check the lentils. The lentils should be cooked well yet separate. They should not be mushy. If you get a slight bite in them, then pressure cook for 1 to 2 whistles more.
Roasting & Grinding
- When the lentils are cooking, heat up a small pan and add the white sesame seeds.
- Roast the sesame seeds on a low heat till they change color and start to crackle.
- Then add the desiccated coconut.
- On a low heat, with a continuous stir, roast both the ingredients, till the coconut becomes golden. Remove and keep aside.
- Once this mixture becomes warm or cools down, add them to a dry grinder.
- Without adding water, grind to a fine mixture. Keep aside.
Making Akkha Masoor
- Heat the oil in a pan and add the finely chopped onions.
- Stir and saute on a low to medium heat till the onions start to turn light golden.
- Then add ginger-garlic paste. Stir and sauté for a few seconds till the raw aroma of ginger-garlic goes away.
- Next add chopped tomatoes.
- Stir and sauté the tomatoes on medium heat till they soften and become pulpy.
- Now add turmeric powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, red chili powder and coriander powder.
- Stir and mix well.
- Then add the 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves. Mix again.
- Add the ground sesame seeds and desiccated coconut mixture.
- Mix and stir again.
- Add the cooked masoor dal along with ½ cup of the stock in which the masoor dal was pressure cooked. If the stock is less, then add overall a half cup of the stock + water. You can also add only ½ cup water.
- Season with salt. Stir and mix well.
- Simmer on a low to medium heat without a lid for 5 to 6 minutes.
- When you see oil specks on floating on the top, the curry is done. For a dry curry, add less water and cook till all the water evaporates.
- Garnish with some chopped coriander leaves and serve kolhapuri style Akkha Masoor hot with some soft chapatis, bajra or jowar rotis or steamed rice.
- You can also have akkha masoor with bread or pav.
Dassana’s Notes
- Use lentils that are fresh and not aged. Old or aged lentils take a lot of time to cook.
- Instead of pressure cooking, you can cook lentils in a pot or pan adding water as needed. Soak the brown lentils for 1 to 2 hours prior to cooking them in a pan.
- For a spicy dish, add more red chilli powder. You can also add some green chillies, if you prefer.
Nutrition
Akkha Masoor recipe from the archives was first published on January 2016.
Love it! Thank you for this delicious vegan recipe. Made 10x the recipe for a party.
Glad you liked the recipe. Making it 10x for a party sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
So easy to cook and so delicious.. thank you!
Hi Dasanna,
I am a follower of your blog and I have tried usal misal whole masoor dal among others n number of times. I dont find whole masoor dal tadka in your blog anymore. Have you deleted it.
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes
Thanks Kavya and welcome. I have merged both the masoor dal recipes. You can get the recipe for whole masoor dal here – https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/masoor-dal-easy-masoor-dal/
The recipe is good and simple to make
yes it is. thanks for this feedback.
I loved! I followed the recipe step by step and lentil was amazing. Thank you so much Dassana Amit You are the best Indian chef.
great… thanks for this lovely feedback and for the rating on the recipe. most welcome.
I love your website. I have shared it with everyone I can think of…
Made this recipe. Came out fantastic. Though I wanted it spicier so added a chopped green chilli and a teaspoon more of garam masala. I often try out your recipes and they come out very good, thanks to your detailed explanations and photographs. Thank you for the good work.
Welcome Seema. Glad to know that you like the recipes and they are coming out well. I would have done the same to make this masoor dal more spicy.
Made the akkha masoor dal just now. Came out fantastic. I just wanted it spicier so added extra teaspoon of garam masala as well as a chopped spicy green chilli. Your recipes are always very good and I often try them out. Thank you for your detailed explanations, the finer points to be taken care of and the photos as well. That is the reason why the recipes turn out well. Thank you very much once again.
Welcome Seema. Thanks for your appreciation and positive feedback on akkha masoor recipe. I try to cover all finer points so that it is easier to prepare the food properly. some tricky recipes need such kind of detailing. good to know that it is helping.
Made this today, came out really tasty. Thank you.
thanks for the positive review on the recipe.
hello dassana. my boyfriend and i are a big fan of your recipes. we have been making 1-2 of your recipes every week for probably more than a year now. this one is my personal favourite. i just have one question: this recipe calls for 1/2 of a cup of lentils while most of your recipes call for 1 cup. why is that? i usually make 1 cup anyways.
thanks sophie. i had made this recipe as a side dish, so i added half cup. i thought if i prepare with 1 cup, then there will be some leftovers. usually i avoid having leftovers. but you can make with 1 cup, if having it alone with some rice or bread or chapatis.
Is it ok to substitute and use whole green Lentils instead of whole brown lentils. For this and other recipes. Please let me know. Thanks.
yes you can easily substitute whole green lentils for this as well as other recipes.
hi I have being trying your recipes for a while now they are very successful. I am going to try this 1 today I am a vegetarian look forward to your recipes.
thankyou navitha 🙂 surely try and share your views.
Fabulous. I love these kolhapuri dishes. A great, fresh tasting dal dish.
thankyou james for your positive feedback.
Hi,
Can dessicated coconut be replaced with freshly grated coconut?
you can use fresh coconut.
Hi, very tasty recipe. I follow your blog and really like the way you explain recipes. I m from kolhapur and my mother used to make aakkha masoor is same way as you explained. Only she adds 1 T- spoon onion garlic masala which is speciality of kolhapur. Thank you for revising kolhapur memories.
pleased to know this pradnya glad we could help you in reviving old but good memories 🙂 also thankyou for your kind words god bless you and you are welcome.
I’ve tried this recipe and I find it very easy to do if I prepare all of the ingredients before I start cooking. I made it for dinner and my husband and three year old seemed satisfied.
I would also like to ask: do you have dal for dinner and if yes, do you eat it with rotis / chapatis or rice?
Thank you!
its always better if the ingredients are prepped up before cooking. thats what i do while cooking. thanks for the feedback also iulia.
we do have dal for dinner. sometimes i make chapatis and sometimes with rice.
Is it ok to add goda masala instead of garam masala? How to make kolhapuri masala, if you can please share.
yes you can add goda masala. tastes very good with goda masala. will try to add the kolhapuri masala recipe.
It turned out to be delicious thnx again
thanks riya for always taking the time to comment, trying the recipes and giving feedback. hugs to you 🙂
Your akkha masoor dal was simply suoerb…. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward for more recipes…
pleased to know this ritu 🙂 thankyou and pleasure is ours.
May I have a question, which size (centiliter) is it a cup?
here in Spain, Our size of cup is about 300 centiliter, is it OK?
the cup measurement is 1 cup = 250 ml (milliliter).