Papaya Khar (Red Lentil with Papaya)

Papaya khar is one of the traditional and popular dish of Assam. A traditional Assamese meal starts with a khar dish, made with raw or green papaya, lentil and other spices.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw green papaya 
• 5 1/3 cup red lentil (masoor dal)
• 1 1/2 medium onions (peeled and chopped) 
• 2 green chilies (chopped)
• 1 tbsp. garlic (chopped)
• 1 tsp. ginger (grated)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves (chopped)
• 1 1/2 tbsp. mustard oil
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. sugar
• 500 ml + 50 ml water

Making Procedure:

Peel the papaya, cut into halves, remove seeds and the little hard skin from the center. Then cut into small cubes. Wash the lentil and papaya and keep aside.

In a pressure cooker add lentil and papaya along with 500 ml water. Give 1 whistle and keep them until steam dissipate on its own.

Pour the oil in a pan and let it smoke. Reduce the heat and add chopped onion. Fry it till the edges are light golden in color. Now add chopped garlic and fry it for a minute. Then add bay leaf, grated ginger and chopped green chilies and fry for another 1 minute. 

Now add the boiled lentil and papaya, salt, sugar, 50 ml water(if needed) into it; mix well and cook it for 3-4 minutes on simmer. Then add chopped coriander leaves and cook for 30 seconds on low heat.

Now pour Papaya Khar  into a serving bowl and serve hot with plain rice.