Methi dal - Menthu kura Pappu - methi varan

I tasted this dal for the first time after shifting to hyderabad .During our visit to sri sailam we had stayed in a hotel named as grand akka mahedevi which is is on the way to srisailam.It was then i got opportunity to taste real andhra food for the first time in  my life .I still remember the tasty finger licking taste of the andhra food served to us .Andhra cuisine is characterised by spicy as well as tangy taste which is just superb.
 
Price was also reasonable full meal consisting of dal ,sambhar,rasam,curd,bhajia,chutney,2 veggies ,chapati & unlimited rice & that for 99 rs only .


I tasted this dal & was in love of this dal & cabbage chutney .Highly impressed I coundnt resist from asking the recipe to owner of hotel.It was then he called the cook & she told me about this delicious methi dal made from toor dal & methi leaves.


Also known in telugu as Menthu kura Pappu which is a very nutritious  tasty healthy Andhra dal dish that calls for the use of tur dal and fresh methi leaves.

Ingredients:
 
1 cup fenugreek, methi leaves(menthu kura) washed and picked
1 cup tur dal (pigeon peas /kandi pappu)
1 medium sized onion chopped finely
1 tomato, finely chopped (optional)
4-5 green chillis slit length wise
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 whole dry red chillis(deseed and tear into pieces)
5 garlic flakes slightly crushed
1 tsp chopped ginger
10 -15 curry leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds(jeera)
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp salt
oil
chopped coriander leaves for garnish
2 cups water

 


Method:
 
1.Soak toor dal in water for minimum 1 hour.

2.heat oil in pressure pan .Now add the chopped onions,  ginger and green chilli's and fry for 2 minutes on medium heat. Add the chopped tomatoes and saute for 3 mts. 

 


3.Next add drained toor dal turmeric,salt &  2 cups of water in a pressure cooker.

4.Mix fenugreek leaves (menthu kura) on top and pressure cook up to till three to four whistles or until tur dal is soft.


 

5.Wait until the pressure is released and remove the lid.

6.Mash with ladle till well combined and add tamarind pulp and salt 

7.Heat 1 tbsp oil in a kadhai  and add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.Now add the cumin seeds, slightly crushed garlic, whole red chili pieces and curry leaves and fry for a minute. 


8. Garnish with coriander leaves.

9..Serve hot with rice and ghee, papad