Kadalai Paruppu Sundal

I make this sundal as a 'neivedhyam' for goddess Lakshmi on fridays. This is also served on one of the 9 days of Navrathri.

My husband has a great liking to this sundal and i often make this as a snack for him to have after he returns from office.

Here is the recipe

Ingredients

Kadalai paruppu - 1 cup

oil - 1 tblsp

mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Green chillies - 3-4

Grated coconut - 3 tblsp

Asafoetida

Salt to taste

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Method

Boil Kadalai paruppu(Channa dal) in a pressure cooker. Make sure that the channa dal is not overcooked. Drain when done.

In a kadai, heat oil, add mustard seeds, green chillies, asafoetida, curry leaves. Fry for a minute.

Add the kadalai paruppu, a little salt and cook for few minutes.

Add the grated coconut and serve hot!

Urulai podimas

Here is a simple and a traditional south indian way of making mashed potatoes. The fresh flavours from the lemon and the tangy potatoes is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Ingredients

Potatoes - 3 medium
oil - 1 tbsp
mustard seeds - 1 tsp
urad dal - 1 tsp
Asafoetida
Green chillies - 3
turmeric - 1 tsp
Ginger - 1 small piece
Salt to taste
Lemon juice
Coriander leaves finely chopped

Method

Boil the potatoes and mash them finely.

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, urad dal, asafoetida, turmeric powder, finely chopped ginger and green chillies. Saute them for a while.

Add the mashed potatoes into the pan and mix it well with the seasoning. Cook the potatoes for 2-3 mins in a low flame.

Once it is done, remove the potatoes from the heat. Pour in the lemon juice and mix well.

Garnish it with fresh corainder leaves and serve.

Beans Paruppu Usili

Paruppu usili is a traditional dish that is generally served in feasts and weddings. It gives a spicy change from the usual bland curry made with beans, cabbage, cluster beans etc.

Though this dish is served in special occasions, i make it quite often at home as it is my husband's favourite. This dish became very popular among my husband's friend- i once served paruppu usili when they had come over to our place for lunch. They took a great liking to this dish and i got great compliments :-)

Generally mom makes paruppu usili with mor kuzhambu which is supposed to be a very good combo.

Ingredients

Beans - 1 cup
Channa dal - 1/2 cup
Toor dal - 1/2 cup
Red Chillies - 4 to 5
Asafoetida a pinch
Salt to taste
Green chillies -2 to 3
Urad dal - 1 tsp
mustard seeds - 1 tsp
oil - 2 tbsp
curry leaves

Method

Cut the beans and cook them with salt and water. After it is done, keep it aside.

Soak channa dal and Toor dal together for about an hour.

Grind them into a coarse mixture along with the red chillies, salt, green chillies and asafoetida by adding a little water to it.
Make sure that the mixture is not too smooth and watery.

Rub Idli pan with oil and put the mixture. Steam them in a pressure cooker for about 6 to 8 mins.

After it cools down, Crumble the mixture thoroughly until it breaks up into fine pieces. keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, urad dal. and curry leaves.

Add the beans and saute until the water gets evaporated.

Now add the dal mixture and mix them well until both are well incorporated.

Reduce the heat and cook in low flame for about 3-4 minutes until it is done completely.

Serve hot with rice and ghee.