Crispy Dal Bhat Rice Cakes with Tomato-Timur Achar

Method

1. Rinse the lentils and put them in a 16 cm pot with the water and turmeric. Bring to the boil over high heat heat, then turn down to medium-low heat and cook for 12 min, stirring, until almost dry and thick enough that a spoon drawn across the bottom leaves a trail. Spread on a wide plate to cool; wet lentils make the cakes fall apart.

   Add in this stepRed lentils 60 gWater (for the lentils) 180 mlGround turmeric ¼ tsp

   high heat→medium-low heat

2. For the achar, toast the sesame in a dry pan for a minute and set aside. In the same pan, roast the tomatoes on medium-high heat heat for 6 min, rolling them, until they burst and blacken in places. In a mortar, pound the sesame, garlic, timur, chilli powder and salt, add the tomatoes and crush roughly, then season with lime juice.

   Add in this stepSesame seeds 1 tbspCherry tomatoes or tomatoes 160 gGarlic cloves 1Timur or Sichuan peppercorns 1 pinchChilli powder ½ tspLime ½Salt (for the achar) 1 pinch

   medium-high heat

3. In a large bowl, combine the rice, cooled lentils, finely chopped red onion, chilli and coriander, cumin, salt and rice flour. Squeeze and knead with your hands until some grains break and the mixture holds together. With wet hands, shape 6 patties 7 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick.

   Add in this stepCold cooked rice (day-old is best) 300 gRed onion 40 gGreen chilli 1Fresh coriander 10 gGround cumin ½ tspSalt ½ tspRice flour (or plain flour) 2 tbsp

4. Put the patties on a tray and chill for 10 min, so they keep their shape in the pan.

5. Heat the oil in a 24 cm non-stick pan over medium heat heat and add the patties with space between them. Fry for 4 min per side, without touching them until a deep golden crust forms underneath. Turn carefully with a spatula and fry in batches if the pan is small. Drain briefly on kitchen paper.

   Add in this stepVegetable oil (for frying) 3 tbsp

   medium heat

6. Serve warm with the tomato-timur achar and yoghurt: spread a little yoghurt on each cake, top with achar and eat in one or two bites.

   Add in this stepPlain yoghurt 4 tbsp