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March 3, 2009

Palakkoora Pappu


My cooking is very generic. We eat Konkani food one day, Tamil the next, Italian for lunch, Chinese for dinner. There is really no pattern. This is how it was at our place while I was growing up and this is the "tradition" that I seem to follow. I haven't cooked too many Telugu dishes, primarily because I have very few "family" recipes. This is one dish that I keep hearing about from many people. Each time I buy a bunch of spinach, Sachin would like me to make this dal. A lot of trial and error resulted in this dish which is somewhere between a Keerai Kuzhambu and Dal Palak. No one has complained so far, so I guess I got it right.


1 Bunch Spinach, cleaned and chopped

1 cup Red Gram Dal (Toor Dal)

1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder

2 tbsp Tamarind Paste

1 tsp Green Chilli Paste

7-8 Curry Leaves

1 tsp Oil

1/4 tsp Mustard Seeds

1/4 tsp Fenugreek Seeds

1/4 tsp Asafoetida

1 Red Chilli


Pressure cook the dal with 2-3 cups of water. Mash well and keep aside.


Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard and fenugreek seeds. When the mustard splutters, add the asafoetida, red chilli, chilli paste and the curry leaves. Add the spinach and cook for 5-6 minutes, covered. Add the tamarind paste and the salt along with the cooked dal.


Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes. Serve hot with rice and some potato fry.

16 comments:

A_and_N said...

Oh I make this regularly. It is so easy, and so tasty! :)

Finla said...

Yeah we too here, we are like you cook different variety of food, and still there are somedays i am like what am i going to make for lunch.

Deepa said...

Based on your description of your pattern, I'd call it "eclectic" (not "generic" - which doesn't do it justice!). I also had the advantage of growing up with various cuisines presented to me, but I tell you, I love nothing more than my idli sambhar :). Not specifically idli sambhar, but a south indian flavor in things, I *need* periodically. My mom always found it amusing! So does my husband. --Deepa

Deepthi Shankar said...

I make this quite often & I love it each time I make it

FH said...

Slurp! Simple dishes are the best to eat. Specially with greens, it's healthy too! :))

Uma said...

looks yummy! Nice healthy dal.

Pavithra Kodical said...

I too make this curry.It tastes great :)

Aarti said...

I make this but minus the tamarind!! shd try with it...

i loveeeeeee spinach!!!:D

Unknown said...

Raaga,

i love this dish.... looks the same as my paati's preparation...

i apologise for i was not able to provide comments to the earlier posts... but i was following all ur posts as usual...

Do you have any recipe ( soup or any hot drink) with Soya milk as
i am allergic to lactose?

Sanghi said...

Very healthy dish raaga..! Love it!

Kitchen Chronicles said...

My children and me like paruppu keerai. goes excellent with hot rice and one spoon ghee.

Sig said...

You described our eating pattern perfectly.. Even though I grew up with proper mallu food at home, I need variety now :)

Anonymous said...

HI there. Im new to your space. actualy new to blogspot.....just making the rounds......and i hopped on to your space from Nupurs.............interesting ive made palak daal used chana dal but i like the addition of tamarind and the redchilli...........im partial to red chillies....have some paalak in the fridge maybe ill give this new dal a shot......

AnuSriram said...

Delicious Recipe! I wish i could have this dal and potato fry with rice for lunch now!

Bong Mom said...

I have this habit of throwing greens into all kinds of dal, lovely way to have greens I think

Cynthia said...

I know that I'd enjoy that with some rice.