Menthi Kura Pappu (Methi Dal/Fenugreek Lentil Curry)

Posting a very nutritious lentil and leafy vegetable andhra dish today.Fenugreek leaves (methi,menthukura) and tur dal(kandi pappu,red gram) are pressure cooked in this recipe

Ingradients:

1 cup menthu akkulu/menthu kura (fenugreek,methi)washed and picked

1 cup tur dal kandi pappu,red gram)

1 medium sized onion chopped finely

4-5 green chillis slit length wise(indian variety)

1/3 tsp turmeric (pasupu/manjal)

2 whole dry red chillis(deseed and tear into pieces)

5 garlic flakes slightly crushed

1 tsp chopped ginger

10 curry leaves

1 tsp cumin seeds(jeera)

1/2 tsp mustard seeds (ria,aavaalu)

1 tsp saltoilchopped coriander leaves for garnish

2 cups water

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a sauce pan and add the mustard seeds and let them splutter.Now add the cumin seeds,slightly crushed garlic,whole red chilli pieces and curry leaves and fry for a minute.This is called “Popu” or “Taalimpu”in Telugu (Andhra).The tempering adds to the dish.Now add the chopped onions,chopped ginger and green chillis and fry for 2 minutes on medium heat.Remove from heat.Add the “popu” and turmeric to the tur dal and add 2 cups of water in a pressure cooker.Now add the washed and picked fenugreek leaves(menthukura)on top and pressure cooktill three to four whistles or until tur dal is soft.Wait until the pressure is released and remove the lid.Add salt to this cooked mixture and mash with laddle till well combined.Garnish with coriander leaves.
Serve hot with rice and ghee….some papad and vadiyaalu and its a complete nutritious meal.You can also serve with rotis.
Absolutely nutritious and tasty dal…Read about the nutritive and medicinal value of Methi leaves here.