Menthu kura Pappu/Methi Dal

Menthu kura Pappu is a very nutritious Andhra dal dish that calls for  the use of tur dal and fresh methi leaves.

Ingredients:
1 cup packed menthu akkulu/menthu kura (fenugreek, methi) washed and picked
1 cup tur dal (kandi pappu, red gram)
1 medium sized onion chopped finely
1 tomato, finely chopped (optional)
4-5 green chillis slit length wise(indian variety)
Tamarind -soaked in water
1/3 tsp turmeric (pasupu)
5 garlic flakes slightly crushed
10 curry leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds(jeera)
1/2 tsp mustard seeds (ria,aavaalu)
1 tsp salt
oil
chopped coriander leaves for garnish
2 cups water

Preparation:
Pressure cook toor dal, menthu akkulu,onion,tomato,tumeric and green chillis and water for 3 whistles. 
Mash with ladle till well combined.Add salt  and tamarind water to this cooked mixture and boil for 5 min.

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, and curry leaves and fry for a minute. This is called “Popu” or “Talimpu” in Telugu (Andhra). The tempering adds flavor to the dish.
 

Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve hot with rice and ghee, papad and vadiyaalu and you have a complete meal. You can also serve with rotis.
Absolutely nutritious and tasty dal.