Pappu Pulusu - Tamarind Based Lentil-Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:
1 cup kandi pappu (tur dal, red gram dal) pressure cooked and mashed
2 cups of chopped mixed vegetables (like okra, carrot, radish, drumsticks, brinjal or sweet potato)
8-10 small sambar onions (or shallots)
2 medium tomatoes quartered
3-4 green chillis (slit length wise) adjust to suit your spice level
pinch of turmeric
3 cups of water
1 big lemon sized tamarind (extract the juice in 1 cup water)
1/2 tsp jaggery or sugar (optional)
salt to taste
coriander leaves for garnish
For tempering:
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
3/4 tsp cumin seeds
¾ tsp fenugreek seeds
7- 8 crushed garlic flakes
4-5 dry red chillis (tear into pieces and de-seed)
10-12 fresh curry leaves

1 In a heavy bottomed vessel, add the mashed dal and water. To this, add the mixed vegetables, shallots, tomatoes, green chillis and turmeric powder. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let the vegetables get cooked.

2 Once vegetables are cooked, add the tamarind extract, salt and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 8-10 mts, till the rawness of the tamarind disappears.

3 Pre-heat oil a pan, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the cumin seeds, fenugreek, garlic, red chillis and fry for a few seconds till they turn brown. Don’t burn them. Lastly add curry leaves and immediately add to the dal-vegetable mixture.

4 Simmer for a minute or two and turn off heat. Garnish with fresh coriander and keep covered for 10 mts before serving.5 Serve with hot steamed rice and vadiyaalu and appadam (papad)