Parupu Usili – Lentil Curry September 4, 2009

Parupu Usili

Paruppu Usili is a dish that I never wanted to try for many reasons. First, it’s a dish I thought was too complicated to get right and two, the taste would be no where close to what my mom could make. Well, I proved myself wrong on two counts.

Prep Time

40-60 Mins

Cooking Time

20 Mins

Serving

Serves 4 as an accompaniment to Rice

Ingredients

• Beans (Cluster or Normal) 750 gms or Banana Flower 1#
• Toor Dal – 100gms/ 1 ½ cup
• Urad/ Urid Dal 2 tsp
• Mustard Seeds 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1 tsp
• Dried Red Chillies 3# 
• Oil 5 tsp
• Finely Chopped Coriander (Cilantro) for garnishing
• Finely Chopped Curry leaves for garnishing
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
• Salt – 1 tsp
• Turmeric – a pinch
• Asafetida – a pinch

 Preparation Steps

1. Soak the toor dal in water for an hour before cooking
2. Finely Chop the beans [or, separate the florets if you are using banana flower  and remove the stamen alone and then finely chop the flower]
3. Boil the beans a bit if it is too crunchy
4. Grind the soaked toor dal will salt the dried chillies and asafetida [grind till you have a coarse paste]
5. Roll the paste into small balls and steam it for 10 mins
6. Remove the steamed balls and break them by hand to form a coarse powder
7. Add2 tsp of oil in a pan – Add mustard, urid dal, cumin seeds, curry leaves and wait till the mustard sputters
8. Add the toor dal powder and the beans – sauté till golden brown
9. Cool and garnish with Coriander – serve with Rice and Rasam – yummy!

 Possible Alterations

You can add a squeeze of lemon if you are found of a tangy taste. You can have the parupu usili plain without any vegetable too.

How to make Bread Upma March 28, 2009

Bread Upma

Bread Upma is a common dish prepared at homes to use up the bread that is about to expire! The upma/ the end product is so tasty that you will rarely want to eat plain bread after that. So dont tell me that I did not warn you.

Prep Time

15 mins

Serving

Serves 3-4 people for a lunch/ dinner

Accompaniment

Hot – Chilli and Tomato sauce

Ingredients
Large Onion 1-2#
Urad/ Urid Dal 2 tsp
Mustard Seeds 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1 tsp
Green Chillies 3# finely chopped
Oil (preferably Olive Oil) 1-2 tsp
Curry Leaves
Chilli Powder
Haldi Powder
Peanuts
One loaf/pack of bread
Salt to taste

Preparation Steps

1 Finely Chop the onions and set aside

2 Grind the bread in a blender to provide a fine powder. You may choose to retain or remove crumbs

3 To a pan add 1 tsp of oil and add the urid/urad dal, cumin seeds, peanuts, mustard seeds, the green chillies can be added to this or may be added to the onions that has been set aside. Add the curry leaves.

Once the mustard has started sputtering add to the onions and saute till golden brown

4 Add the ground bread and a pinch of haldi, salt and chilli powder

5 Mix Well and saute until the mixture is cooked

6 Garnish with Coriander leaves and serve hot

Do let me know how you liked it !

Recipe for Carrot Curry December 28, 2008

  

Carrot Curry

 

A very typical carrot curry preparation has been elaborated below. Suggestions in terms of enhancements to this dish have also been mentioned! Do leave your comments 

Carrot is one of my favourite veggies for a reason! It’s a versatile vegetable that can be used in salads, sweet, curries, rice dishes and the list is endless! 

Prep Time   

15 Mins   

Ingredients   

• 3 Carrots
• Mustard Seeds – 2tsp
• Urad Dal – 2 tsp
• Oil – 1/2 tsp
• Green Chillies
• Salt
• a squeeze of lemon
• Fresh Coriander leaves

Serving   

Serves 2 as a salad   

Preparation Steps   

1 Add a ts of oil in a pan, 2tsp mustard seeds, 2 tsp urad/urid dal and wait till the mustard sputters   

2 Add the green chillies to this and take the pan off the stove/gas/cooker   

3 Grate carrots finely using a grater   

4 Add the seasoning that you just prepared to the carrot   

5 Add a squeeze of lemon and a salt to taste   

6 Mix them well & Garnish with Fresh coriander   

It tastes amazing! You can add cooked peppers and steamed gram dal to this and you will love it even more. Enjoy!