South Indian Dal / Paruppu Kulambu / Lentil Stew

Paruppu Kulambu is a famous recipe in South India especially Tamil Nadu. It has been a very traditional recipe and almost every homes in Tamil Nadu will have this preparation atleast once a week!!! This is a very simple, mildly spiced and healthy recipe and has many versions, but this is the basic authentic version that I have adopted from my granny. I have used Toor dal/Thuvaram Paruppu along with drumsticks and brinjal which are the two basic veggies used in preparing this recipe. We all know that lentils are protein rich and low in fat and cholesterol. This recipe goes well with Boiled/Steamed rice, Dosa, Idly and Vada. 

INGREDIENTS

1. Toor dal/Thuvaram paruppu - 1 cup 
2. Brinjal - 2 
3. Drumstick - 1 
4. Small Onions - 3 (or) Big onions - 1/2 
5. Green Chillies - 1
6. Coriander leaves - A handful 
7. Curry leaves - Few 
8. Garlic pods - 2 
9. Tamarind - 1/2 inch sized ball
10. Turmeric powder - A pinch 
11. Asafoetida - A pinch
12. Mustard seeds - 1/4 spoon 
13. Cumin seeds - 1/4 spoon 
14. Salt 
15. Oil - 2 spoons

PREPARATION METHOD

• Soak tamarind in half a cup of water for 15 minutes or more. After that, mash the tamarind well using fingers and extract the juice from it. Keep this extract aside.
• Wash and chop brinjal and drumstick lengthwise and keep aside.
• Split green chillies into two halves, set aside.
• In a pressure cooker add the dal, chopped vegetables, green chillies, peeled garlic pods and pour water till there is water 1 inch above the dal and vegetables. Do not place on flame now.
• Add salt, turmeric powder and stir well. 
• Now add the tamarind juice/extract.
• Then add chopped coriander leaves.
• In another pan add oil, after it heats up, splutter mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, chopped onions, asafoetida and fry well.
• Add this seasoning mixture immediately into the dal mixture and stir well.
• Now close the cooker with the lid and pressure cook for 10 minutes.
• After that remove from flame and open the lid after 10 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve!!!

TIP 1: You can also add an extra green chilli if you want it more spicy.

TIP 2: Add a piece of ginger to enhance the flavor and aroma.

TIP 3: You can also make the same recipe with Green gram dal.

TIP 4: If you don't like tangy flavor you can avoid tamarind or add only little of the tamarind extract.

Tasty South Indian Dal/Paruppu Kulambu/Lentil Stew is now ready. Enjoy with Rice accompanied with a spicy side-dish!!! Potato Podimas is the best side-dish for Paruppu Kulambu!!

Related recipes

• Sambar / Lentil Vegetable stew (youtoocancookindianfood.blogspot.com)
• Rasam / Tamarind Soup (youtoocancookindianfood.blogspot.com)
• Drumstick Masala / Murungakkai Masala (youtoocancookindianfood.blogspot.com)
• Tangy Spicy Brinjal Masala (youtoocancookindianfood.blogspot.com)
• Potato Podimas / Urulaikilangu Podimas (youtoocancookindianfood.blogspot.com)
• Lentil Gravy / Toor Dhal Gravy / Thuvaram Paruppu Kulambu (youtoocancookindianfood.blogspot.com)