Mashed Moong dal & Thoor dal / Pachaipayaru & Paruppu Kadaisal

Ingredients

Thor dal/ Thuvaram paruppu -1/8 cup

Moong dal/ Pachai payaru - 1/8cup

Garlic - 4cloves

Onion, chopped-4tablespoons

Tomato, chopped -1

Green chilly, chopped - 2  

Few curry leaves and cilantro

Coriander seeds - 1teaspoon

Cumin seeds -1 teaspoon

Sambar powder -1/2teaspoon 

Turmeric powder - 1/8teaspoon

Salt 

Sugar - 1/4teaspoon

Oil 

Method

In a small pressure cooker, heat oil. 

Add the coriander and cumin seeds, let them splutter.

Now add the chopped onion, green chilly, garlic and curry leaves.

Saute for a minute, and add the chopped tomato. Give it a quick stir. 

Add the sambar powder, turmeric powder and the thor dal - moong dal.

 Add about 11/4cup of water with enough salt and sugar (if adding).

 Close the pressure cooker and cook for 5 whistles in medium flame. Open the cooker once the pressure subsides.

Add the chopped coriander leaves, and mash the dal nicely with a masher.

 Protein rich and flavorful dal is ready to serve. It tastes best with piping hot rice with some ghee.

You can accompany the rice and dal with any spicy stir-fried vegetable or Papad - mor milagi (curd chilly) or even with pickle. 

Ladies finger Stir-fry / Vendaikkai Fry

Ingredients

Vendaikkai/ Ladies finger - 15 or 20

Sliced onion - 3 tablespoons 

Ginger  - a small piece

Garlic - 4 cloves

Green chilly -1

Few curry leaves

Chilli powder - 1teaspoon

Coriander powder - 1teaspoon

Salt

Oil 

Method 

Wash, pat dry and trim the edges of the ladies finger/vendaikkai. 

Cut them into small pieces. 

Heat oil in a pan, add the sliced garlic, green chilly and ginger pieces. 

Then add the ladies finger pieces and keep sautéing. 

Vendaikkai/ Ladies finger cooks quickly..so once its 3/4th cooked (will take about 5-6 minutes in medium heat..keep an eye, toss it occasionally), add the sliced onion, curry leaves and spice powders along with salt.

 Keep frying until the raw smell of the spices and onion are gone.

 Quick and delicious vendaikkai fry is ready to serve.

Goes well with rice varieties, can pair it with roti too.