The Dhal Gotni is an ancient utensil that has stirred and continues to stir pots. It has stood the test of time, spanning generations to provide a taste of yesteryear that takes us on a journey back in time.

For the Dootooa family in Poudre d'Or, the dhal gotni holds a special place in the kitchen. Although modern appliances have been introduced over the years, the dhal gotni is always within reach. "For years, the dhal gotni was used by women to crush the dry grains after cooking to make it creamier," explains Poonam. Besides, "gotni" is a Bhojpuri term that literally means "to crush".

The dhal gotni generally consists of a wooden handle attached to another round piece with several teeth. The handle is operated with the palms of the hands and the central part of the dhal gotni rotates in both directions, crushing the lentils or other dry grains.

"Since I was little, I have seen my grandmother, my great-grandmother and even my aunts using the dhal gotni. In the 80s, not everyone could afford a pressure cooker, the famous "tempo". So the dry grains had to be soaked for hours and then cooked for a long time in a karay or pot over a wood fire. The dhal gotni made it creamier by crushing the grains," Poonam continues.

One tool, many purposes

The young woman explains that the dhal gotni can also be used for other purposes. To make lassi creamier, nothing beats dhal gotni. It blends the yoghurt and water to perfection; then, thanks to the clockwise and counter-clockwise movements, air is incorporated into the drink, making it light and velvety. Lassi can be made in several flavours: fruity, salty or sweet. "Its name may suggest that it is only used for dhal, but it can also be used to crush vegetables to make purées. The dhal gotni is very effective for mashing potatoes to make a satini"

Despite all the modern gadgets available, Poonam doesn't want to give up her dhal gotni, even if it requires a little more effort and skill. " It's a tool that is very dear to me. It's part of our family tradition. Nowadays you can find metal or plastic dhal gotni, but they're not worth a wooden one, which doesn't change the taste of the food.

You will have heard the expression "remuer le couteau dans la plaie", which means to increase or revive emotional pain. In Mauritius, this led to the expression "aret dhalgotni", an imaginative expression referring to the same situation.