METHI DAL / MENTHI KURA PAPPU

Dal is a staple dish in South Indian Cuisine. It is made almost every day with a variation adding different greens or vegetables to it. Today's version is with methi leaves and I simply love  love the methi flavour. This goes very well with jowar ki roti or plain rice.

Ingredients:
Toor dal .... 1 cup
Methi leaves .. 1 cup
Tomato ....... 1
Green chillies .. 1-2 (as per your liking)
Garlic ........... 6-7 cloves (crushed)
Ginger ........ 1 tsp (grated)
Turmeric powder ... 1/2 tsp
Tamarind juice ... 1-2 tbsps (as per your liking)
Salt ........... to taste
Oil ... as needed

Tempering:
Mustard seeds ... 1 tsp
Cumin seeds ...... 1 tsp
Dry red chillies .. 1-2
Asafoetida ......... 1 pinch
Curry leaves .... 1 sprig

Method:
1. Soak dal for one hour or more. Boil it adding a little salt and turmeric powder.
2. In a pan heat a little oil and the tempering ingredients.
3. When they crackle, add the garlic, ginger and green chillies.
4. Next add the methi leaves and tomatoes and saute until the tomatoes are cooked.
5. Mix the boiled dal and add the tamarind juice. Check the salt and spices. If you want it spicier you can even add red chilli powder.