Hooooh …it’s a long title…so is the post. As this is a long post, I directly dig into the recipes…..First one is simple and delectable Amaranth leaves with toovar dal….it is one of simple Andhra recipe, popularly known as ‘thothakura pappu’. Easy to cook, when greens are de-stemmed and chopped already (I always de-stem and chop the greens a day ahead). When nutritious amaranth leaves are cooked with mild tasting toovar dal with aromatic Indian spices, the resultant is extremely delectable.
When I was reading wiki on Amaranth leaves, I came across these beautiful lines, Aesop’s Fables (6th century BC) compares the Rose to the Amaranth to illustrate the difference in fleeting and everlasting beauty. A Rose and an Amaranth blossomed side by side in a garden, and the Amaranth said to her neighbour, “How I envy you your beauty and your sweet scent! No wonder you are such a universal favourite.” But the Rose replied with a shade of sadness in her voice, “Ah, my dear friend, I bloom but for a time: my petals soon wither and fall, and then I die. But your flowers never fade, even if they are cut; for they are everlasting.” More can be found here.
THOTHAKURA PAPPU (AMARANTH LEAVES + TOOR DAL)
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups tightly packed Amaranth leaves (discard the stems)
- 1 cup Toor dal, washed
- 1 Green chili, slit length wise
- 1 medium sized Onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp thick Tamarind paste
- 1 tbsp Red chili powder
- ¼ tbsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp Sambar powder
- Salt
TEMPERING/TADKA:
- ½ tbsp Mustard seeds
- ½ tbsp Jeera
- 1 dry Red chili
- 2 cloves Garlic, crushed
- 10 Curry leaves
- Oil
PREPARATION:
- Pressure cook by mixing toor dal, chopped amaranth leaves, sliced onions, tamarind paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder and sambar powder until dal is completely cooked.
- In a heavy bottom vessel, add oil and to this add one by one the ingredients mentioned under tempering.
- Once the dal is cooked, mash with a wooden ladle by adding salt. Add above tempering and serve hot with steamed white rice with a dollop of ghee.
- Last but not least add your ‘love’ to make the dish ‘YUMMY’.
- 6-7 green Brinjals, discard stem and cut length wise
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 ½ tbsp Red chili powder
- ¼ tbsp Turmeric powder
- Salt
TEMPERING/TADKA:
- 1 tbsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp Cumin seeds
- 3-4 cloves Garlic, crushed
- 10 Curry leaves
- Oil
PREPARATION:
- Add oil to a heavy bottom cooking vessel and when oil starts to heat up add one by one ingredient’s listed under tempering. Once curry leaves start to change color, add brinjal pieces along with turmeric powder and salt.
- Sauté on medium heat by mixing gently. Crush garlic with red chili powder and make a coarse mixture.
- When brinjal pieces almost cooked, add this garlic-red chili mixture and combine with brinjal pieces. Cook till brinjal pieces are completely done. Serve with rice and dal.
- Last but not least add your ‘love’ to make the dish ‘YUMMY’.
APPLE TASTING:
Raji says
All the dishes are so yummy…great celebration food.
Prathibha says
Love thotakura pappu n brinjal fry both of dem…I wish u could pass a bowl of dem each 4 my lunch now…:)I m drooling on ur pot luck menu wid deepa..promise me that u will do d same when I meet u next time..wat say?
Kitchen Flavours says
Thank You Sarah, Raji and Prathibha.Prathibha – Love to pass that bowls to you dear…..Pakka promise that we have a yum potluck like this when u come here…
saffronstreaks says
what a wonderful dal and stir fried eggplants. drooling over the pics are as usual mindblowing.pls do check the new event at my site : summer coolers
Priya says
Would love to finish both dishes together rite now,irresistible pappu and inviting stir fry..yumm!
An Open Book says
i love dal in any form..sadly i dont get amarnath leaves here 🙁
Ila says
Wonderful pappu curry and brinjal fry:) awesome and delicious click 🙂
Varunavi says
Yummy pappu,can have any time with hot rice and ghee.
Suman Singh says
Yummy and delicious dishes..I don't think I've ever tried this greens..sounds interesting and yummy combo..thanks for sharing!
Nandini says
Slurp! Looking at all those pics make me hungry! Yum!
Hamaree Rasoi says
I have never tried stir fry with green brinjals. Shall give this a try after looking at your dish. 🙂 Dal looks equally tempting Lubna. And yeah that was the funniest sms that i got after India won the match :-)Enjoyed our potluck and thanks a lot for the link.Deepa Hamaree Rasoi
Priya Sreeram says
the lines from the fable are indeed beautiful and nice post
Sarah says
lovely clicks… and yummy dishes..
Suma Gandlur says
Both are such comforting dishes. They look yummy.
G.Pavani says
oh!lovely n tempting dishes with grt clicks..
sanjeeta kk says
Both the dishes look so lovely, Lubna! And as you said it is the Love that makes any dish more tasty..really holds true.
Curry Leaf says
Long post? You got time to post his loooooong post? Midah had a nice sleep while mommy was typing this out. 😀 Yummy dishes dear. Will mail you more on the apple tasting. I feel happy that you also got the apples.I never knew Deepa lived nearby. Call me also for potluck nextluck that esp when Prathy comes down (read her comment thats y) Take care
Kannada Cuisine says
beautiful pictures
Swathi says
Awesome simple deishes. Love this meal.
kittymatti says
oh wow! wish i was invited:) delicious!
Sukanya Ramkumar says
Mouthwatering dal… Nice recipes and pictures….YUM!
jayasree says
Mouthwatering pics…Loved the dal. Celebration platter is very tempting.
Mary @Delightful Bitefuls says
Wow! These dishes look FABULOUS!!Great blog; happy I found you!Mary xoDelightful Bitefuls
pigpigscorner says
Everything looks delicious! Love the look of thr brinjal dish. YUM!
Mehjabeen Arif says
perfect pappu.. love the cobo with the stir fry..new to ur space n so happy to follow u !Do visit my blog as time permits ..http://comeletseat.blogspot.com
Spice says
tasty food & nice presentation….& 2/apr/2011 was THE DAY….loved every moment of world cup win….can't stop laughing at "honi ko…." song…
Alessandra says
I feel like trying Amaranth leaves now, I wonder if I could find them in New Zealand (where I live).I love Indian food and I am trying to learn a few recipes, and to mix spices :-). I will follow your beautiful blog!If you like Italian food (vegetarian) come and see me too here: http://alessandrazecchini.blogspot.com/ciaoAlessandra
lissie says
rice with thottakura pappu and brinjal stir-fry..that would make a satisfying meal!