Pudina , one of the wonder herbs ,is used in this dal recipe. This easily grown ,my favourite herb is loaded with lot of medicinal benefits. When you purchase this herb , you can use the leaves and simply plant the stems with out discarding them.New crop will be seen in next few days. The dal ( pappu as we call in Telugu ) is very tasty and flavourful.
Ingredients:
Fresh pudina leaves – 20 to 25 leaves,
Toor dal – 200 Gms,
Onion – 1 medium ,sliced fine,
Green chilli – 2 each cut into two,
Red chilli powder – 1/2 Tsp,
Haldi – 2 pinches,
Tamarind paste – 1/2 Tsp,
Pappu masala 1 Tablesp,( pappu masala ,I already added to my recipe list.you can check it / instead you can add 1/2 tablesp of sambar powder ),
Salt,
Tomato – 2, medium ,cut each into 4 pieces,
Mustard seeds – 1/2 Tsp,
Urad dal – 1/4 Tsp,
Curry leaves -‘few,
Oil – 2 Tablesp,
Peeled and crushed garlic cloves – 6 ,
Red chillies – 2, broken into pieces,
Chopped coriander leaves – 2 Tsp,
Method:
1).Pick, wash and chop pudina leaves. keep it aside.
2).Wash dal and put it in pressure cooker ( preferably 2 or 3 litres ).
3).Add chopped tomato, green chilli, chilli powder, haldi, pappu masala, chopped pudina leaves and 250 mi.of water.Pressure cook for 3 whistles.
4).Once the steam escapes, remove the lid of cooker.Mash the dal with back of a ladle or potato masher .( Need not be creamy ).Add salt and tamarind paste.mix well.
5).Heat oil in a pan, add mustard, hing, urad dal, red chilli, garlic, and curry leaves. Fry till mustard crackles and dal changes colour. Add onion pieces and fry till they become soft . Add mashed dal to tadka and mix well. Keep the pan for a minute. Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves and remove from flame.
6).Serve with hot plain rice along with little ghee / chapathi/ poori.
Tip:
I prefer to add dal to prepared tadka instead of pouring tadka to dal as it enhances the taste.