Parippu (Dal) Curry – Malabar Style

Ingredients (Serves 5 – 7)

1. Toor dal or masoor dal – 1 cup

Tomato – 1 small, chopped

Onion – 1/2 cup, sliced or chopped

Green chilies – 2, slit

Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp

Oil – 1 tsp

Water – 1.5 – 2 cups or as required

2. Hot water – As required

3. Salt – To taste

To grind

4. Grated coconut – 1/2 cup

Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp

Shallots – 2 or 2 small garlic cloves

For tadka

5. Coconut oil – 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp

Dried red chilies – 2,  broken

Shallots – 2 – 3, thinly sliced

Curry leaves – A few

Method

1. Grind grated coconut adding cumin seeds and shallots to a fine paste.

2. Cook all the ingredients numbered 1 in a pressure cooker for 1 – 2 whistles. Open the cooker after 15 minutes. Add hot water and bring to a boil. Add ground coconut paste and cook for a few minutes. It should have a medium thick consistency. Switch off.

3. Heat coconut oil in a small kadai. Splutter mustard seeds and fry dried red chilies and shallots until golden. Pour this over the curry. Keep covered for 15 minutes. Serve with ghee rice and any spicy curry.