VANKAYA PAPPU / TOOR DAL WITH BRINJAL ANDHRA STYLE / LENTILS WITH EGGPLANT

Dal is such a versatile dish that can be made with endless variations. This is a recipe from Andhra. Pappu means thick dal. This can be made plain or with the addition of any greens or vegetables to it. Today's recipe is with brinjals.

Ingredients:
 Toor dal .......... 1 cup
Brinjals / eggplant.. 1/4 cup (cut into pieces)
Tomato .................... 1
Green chilli .............. 1
 Methi leaves ... handful (optional)
Coriander leaves .... handful
 Turmeric powder .... 1/4 th tsp.
 Tamarind juice ....... 2-3 tbsps.
 Ginger - garlic paste ... 1 tbsp.
Salt .............................. to taste
Oil

For Tempering:
Mustard seeds .... 1/2 tsp
 Dry red chillies .... 2-3
Curry leaves ....... few
Asafoetida ........... a pinch.

Method:
 1. Wash and soak toor dal for 2-3 hours.
2. Boil dal with 2 cups water, salt, turmeric powder and ginger garlic paste.
3. When it is half done add the tomatoes, green chillies, methi and coriander leaves and brinjal pieces.
4. When the brinjals are done stir in the tamarind juice finally and check the thickness of dal. Add water if needed and just mash lightly with the ladle.
5. Heat a little oil and add the tempering ingredients.
6. When they crackle stir them into the prepared dal.
Serve with plain boiled rice and any poriyal. Pour a spoonful of desi ghee on the rice.

Posted in: Indian Cook