Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu

This is an interesting curry made in most of the tamil Iyers and Iyengars. 'Paruppu Urundai' is nothing but koftas made with toor dal. These koftas are used as a substitute for vegetables. This is a wholesome and healthy curry.

Here is the recipe.

Ingredients for Paruppu Urundai:
Toor Dal - 3/4 cup
Red Chilli - 2
Salt
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Chopped Onion (optional) - 1/4 cup
Grated coconut (optional) - 1/4 cup
Chopped green chillies - 2
Rice flour - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp

Method for Paruppu Urundai:
Clean and soak the dal for 2 hours.
Drain and grind the dal along with red chilli, salt and asafoetida into a coarse firm paste.
Heat a little oil in a pan and allow mustard to splutter. Add green chilli and onions and fry till the onion turns golden brown.
Add the ground dal paste. Stir till it changes color.
It might stick to the pan, but still keep stirring till the raw smell of dal goes.
When done, remove from fire and add grated coconut and rice flour. Mix well and prepare small balls.


Ingredients for Kuzhambu:
Tamarind - 1 small lemon sized
Red chilli - 1
Toor dal - 1 tsp
Channa dal - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
Mustard - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 4-5 strands
Sambar powder - 2 tbsp
Gingely oil - 2-3 tbsp

Method for Kuzhambu:
Heat oil in a pan, season with mustard, asafoetida and curry leaves. Add red chilli, fenugreek seeds and the dals. Add sambar powder and fry for 5 sec. Immediately add tamarind extract and salt. Allow to boil for 15-20 min. Then slowly drop 2 balls at a time into the boiling gravy. When the balls are cooked, they will float to the top. Boil together for few more min.

Preparation time: 45-50 mins
Serves: 4 people