Mung Dal Vada (Fried Indian Lentil Fritters)

Clearly I have a sort of addiction to Indian savories and my introduction to vadas has done nothing to curb that. Popular in South India, vadas are fried savories made with dal and spices that are now popular in many parts of India and beyond. Often disc or doughnut shaped, this popular street food can be eaten for breakfast or as a snack with any variety of chutneys, and are a fine feature of any meal, often served up as an appetizer with some sambar or rasam. I adore them so much that they can easily serve as a main course for me, especially in the summer when my appetite is rather sporadic.

These ones combine the earthy sweet flavors of split mung and toor dal. They are rather easy to prepare too. Though I rarely deep fry foods, preferring baked version of classics, once in a while I do indulge. The vadas fry up quickly and are really not oily at all. Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside, these are a treat that is pretty much impossible to find in Indian restaurants in the city I reside in because, for the most part, it is North Indian creations that are served and the menus of never seem to vary. No matter, as homemade is always better.

I served this delightful savories with a homemade fresh coconut chutney with tamarind and cilantro.

Mung Dal Vada (North Indian Lentil Fritters)

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on June 26, 2015 Sweet and earthy split dals blended with spices and fried into light, crispy savory fritters Print this recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup split mung dal, rinsed 1/4 cup chana dal or toor dal, well rinsed 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 2 green chilies, seeded and minced handful or fresh cilantro, chopped 1-inch piece ginger, minced 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon asafetida, to taste 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste peanut oil or other oil for frying Instructions: Soak the mung and chana or toor dal for 3 hours or longer. Drain, rinse, and transfer to a food processor or blender. Blend until coarsely ground, adding a few tablespoons of water if necessary. Add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, chilies, fresh cilantro, ginger, turmeric, baking soda, asafetida and salt. Process for another few minutes, until well blended. Transfer to a bowl and beat with a wire whisk for a few minutes, until bubbles being to form in the batter. Heat 2 inches of oil in a medium saucepan. Drop a small bit of the batter into the pot. If it rises to the top, then the oil is hot enough to proceed. Drop tablespoon portions of the batter into the oil, taking care to gently stir now and again, and cook for about 5 minutes until the vadas are golden. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve hot or warm with your favorite chutney. Makes 12 to 16 vadas

This is my contribution to My Legume Love Affair, a long running event started by lovely Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook, now administered by me and kindly hosted this month by PJ.

Other Indian savories to whet your appetite:
Chana Vada (Chana Dal Peanut Patties) with a Tamarind Chili Sauce
Savory Chana Dal Fritters with Tomatoes and Spices
Spicy Baked Chickpea Koftas

On the top of the reading stack: Stalin's Daughter: The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Stalina by Rosemary Sullivan

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Savory Chana Dal Fritters with Tomatoes and Spices

I don't typically deep-fry foods as I generally prefer baked versions of savory appetizers to keep the mess and grease down. But there are exceptions. Like these Indian spiced chana dal fritters for example. As it turns out, these light, crispy and spicy fritters weren't very oily at all, and I enjoyed them for lunch smothered with a homemade chutney. Crispy on the outside but delightfully moist and airy in the inside, these easy-to-make fritters are a treat indeed. And very addictive. They are best served warm and fresh out of the pan, but they do keep well covered in the fridge for a day or so. Simply heat them up covered with foil in the oven in a low temperature preheated oven and enjoy them again.

I served these with a fresh coconut chutney with tamarind and cilantro.

Savory Chana Dal Fritters with Tomatoes and Spices

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking Cuisine: Indian Published on May 4, 2015 A blend of chana dal, tomatoes and Indian spices turned into light, crispy golden-brown fritters — delicious served with a chutney for lunch or as an appetizer Print this recipe Ingredients: 2/3 cup chana dal, rinsed 1 1/2 tablespoons ghee or other oil 2 to 3 green chilies, seeded and minced 1-inch piece ginger, grated or minced 1/2 tablespoon coriander seeds 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1/4 teaspoon asafetida 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced water as needed (about 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup) 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste peanut oil or other high-smoking point oil for frying Instructions: Soak the dal in enough water to cover for 5 to 6 hours. Drain, rinse again, and transfer to a food processor. Heat the ghee or oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the chilies, ginger, coriander seeds and fennel seeds, and fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, cayenne, and asafetida, stir a few times, and then add the tomatoes. Simmer, stirring often, until the tomatoes are reduced to a fairly thick paste. Set aside to cool a bit. Add 4 tablespoons of water to the dal in the food processor and pulse for 3 to 4 minutes, stopping often to scrape down the sides as needed and also adding a bit more water as need. You want a smooth and airy batter. Add the tomato mixture, arrowroot and sea salt, and process for another 30 seconds. Scrape the batter into a bowl. Heat 2 1/2 inches of oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or deep frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, drop a small bit of the batter into the oil. When the oil is ready, the batter should rise immediately to the top. Carefully lower several portions of about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil, taking care not to crowd the pan. When the patties begin to rise to the surface, gently move them around to brown evenly. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes, until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining fritters. They can be kept warm in a 225° oven until the fritters are finished. They can also be reheated for a few minutes under the broiler. Serve hot or warm with your favorite chutneys and sauces. Makes about 12 fritters or 4 servings

Sharing this with Jacqueline's monthly bookmarked recipe event, also with Srivalli of Cooking 4 All Seasons who is celebrating 8 years of blogging.

Other Indian savories to enjoy:
Chana Vada (Chana Dal Peanut Patties) with a Tamarind Chili Sauce
Potato Patties Stuffed with Spiced Green Peas (Aloo Matar Tikki)
Vegetarian Samosa Cakes with Tamarind Chutney
Samosa-Style Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Audio Accompaniment: chirping birds

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Chana Vada (Chana Dal Peanut Patties) with a Tamarind Chili Sauce

I will admit that I have a hard time keeping up with all of the different names for Indian dishes, as the cuisine varies so much depending on every region's unique traditions and influences. Indian savories often have me a bit confused, even though I started cooking Indian food soon after adopting a vegetarian diet, and that was over twenty years ago.

One thing I do know is that Indian appetizers have always been one of my favorite aspects of dining out, and since growing keen on experimenting in my own kitchen, there is no match for homemade preparations. With some research and control over the quality of your ingredients and process, eating out will in all likelihood pale in comparison. I now find most of the offerings from local establishments greasy and bland in comparison to homemade. The only drawback is that many breads, patties, balls and fritters can take time and be a bit messy. It really is worth the effort though and oftentimes the savories, such as these chana dal patties complete with some tamarind sauce in this instance, easily make up the main portion of a lighter meal if the temptation to indulge doesn't overwhelm.

Vadas seem to be a new favorite of mine. Popular in South India traditionally, vadas are fried savories usually made with dal and spices that are now popular in many parts of India and beyond. Often disc or doughnut shaped, this popular street food can be eaten for breakfast or as a snack with any variety of chutneys, and are a fine feature of any celebratory meal.

These chana dal and peanut vadas came together in very little time at all, and instead of the usual deep-frying method I shallow fried them for a healthier appetizer or meal accompaniment. I adore little bites and I'm always happy to serve them up as the star of the meal. Serve with rice and a side vegetable curry and rest assured no one will leave the table hungry. The peanuts not only provide extra protein and nutty flavor but also serve to help bind the cake together, without any need for excess oil, eggs or flour. I was pleasantly surprised how well they held together when frying and after they were gone, I was eager to make up another batch. The thick, creamy coconut milk, tamarind and chili sauce that I served them with was the crowning glory.

I adapted this recipe from Raghavan Iyer's comprehensive guide to Indian cooking, 660 Curries. His book occupies a treasured space on a prominent bookshelf in my kitchen, and with so many ideas, including fusion-style dishes, I never get bored of exploring his tried and tested recipes and exploring new delights awaiting the curious and eager cook. Whether a novice or an experienced cook, I'm certain anyone with a keen interest in Indian cooking will embrace this book as I have for many years and many more to come.

Chana Vada (Chana Dal Peanut Patties) with a Tamarind Chili Sauce

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from 660 Curries Cuisine: Indian Published on March 23, 2015 Shallow-fried Indian spiced chana dal and peanut patties served with a tangy, creamy and zesty tamarind, chili and coconut milk sauce Print this recipe Vadas: 1 cup dried split chana dal or yellow split peas 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts 1/2 cup unsweetened dried grated coconut, soaked in 1/2 cup boiling water for 15 minutes and drained 4 green chilies, seeded and chopped 1-inch piece ginger, finely sliced 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon asafetida 2 tablespoons coconut oil or other cooking oil for frying Sauce: 1 teaspoon tamarind paste 2/3 cup coconut milk 2 teaspoons garam masala 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 2 dried whole red chilies, crushed 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped Instructions: Thoroughly rinse the chana dal or yellow split peas. Transfer to a medium bowl, add the peanuts, and soak for 2 hours in several inches of water. Meanwhile, soak the grated coconut in 1/2 cup boiling water for 15 minutes, then drain and set aside. Drain the dal or split peas and transfer to a food processor. Add the coconut, chilies and ginger. Process until the mixture is well blended and turns into a fairly thick paste. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the cilantro, sea salt, turmeric, cumin, paprika and asafetida. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Whisk together the tamarind paste, coconut milk and about 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Stir in the garam masala, salt, chilies and cilantro. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to medium, and stir occasionally until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes or so. Set aside until ready to serve the patties. Shape about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the vada mixture into small patties about 1/2 inch thick and 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide, and place on a plate. Line a few plates with paper towel and heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. When hot, fry the patties in batches, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove from the pan with a slotted lifter and let drain on the towel-lined plates. Repeat until all the patties are cooked. To serve, place a few of the prepared patties on a plate and drizzle with sauce. Makes 15 to 18 vadas

I'm sharing this with Jacqueline's bookmarked recipe event and also My Legume Love Affair, a monthly event celebrating all things legumes, started by lovely Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook, now administered by me and kindly hosted this month by Siri. There is still time to submit a recipe to both of these vegetarian recipe roundups.

Other little bites you are sure to enjoy from Lisa's Kitchen:
Potato Patties Stuffed with Spiced Green Peas (Aloo Matar Tikki)
Chickpea Potato Koftas with Ricotta Cheese
Paneer Tikka Masala
Vegetarian Samosa Cakes with Tamarind Chutney

On the top of the reading stack: Sweetly Raw Desserts: Raw Vegan Chocolates, Cakes, Cookies, Ice Cream, and More by Heather Pace

Audio Accompaniment: chirping birds

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Urad and Toor Dal with Fresh Fenugreek

Sometimes a gentle Indian meal with split dal is just the thing I crave. I adore the creamy texture and mellow yet unique flavor of urad dal mixed with toor dal and smoky, aromatic spices. Fresh fenugreek is a must in this dish and it was a delight to find some at my local Indian grocery store. It imparts a slight bitterness and pepperiness but a highly pleasing and subdued contrast to the tomato and spice components of the dal. I served it with hot white basmati rice, but it certainly would go well with naan or any other Indian flat bread and a side vegetable dish to complete the meal.

I'm reposting this recipe from the archives with some updated photos and revisions.

Urad and Toor Dal with Fresh Fenugreek

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian First published on April 23, 2010 Simple dal and tomato curry seasoned with fresh peppery fenugreek leaves Print this recipe Ingredients: 2/3 cup skinless split urad dal, rinsed 1/3 cup toor dal, rinsed 1 2/3 cups water 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 cup fresh fenugreek leaves, chopped 2 teaspoons coconut oil, sesame oil or ghee 1-inch piece ginger, finely chopped 3 green chilies, seeded and finely chopped 2 large tomatoes, finely chopped 1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste Tempering: 1 tablespoon coconut oil, sesame oil or ghee 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon asafetida 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon amchoor powder (optional) Instructions: Soak the urad dal and toor dal in enough water to cover for at least 1 hour. Drain, transfer to a medium saucepan, and add 1 2/3 cups of water and the turmeric. Bring to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the dals are soft, stirring occasionally to ensure the water does not boil away, about 30 to 40 minutes. Add the fenugreek leaves to the pot and stir. Heat the oil or ghee in a frying pan over medium heat. When hot, toss in the ginger and chilies and stir for a few minutes. Add the tomato and salt to the pan and cook until the tomato begins to soften and thicken. Add the tomato to the dals, bring to a boil again, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, whisking occasionally. Turn off the heat. For the tempering, wipe the frying pan down and heat the oil or ghee over medium heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds. Stir for 30 to 60 seconds or until the mustard seeds turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Add the asafetida, chili powder and amchoor if using, stir a few times, and then immediately pour into the dal. Stir once and cover immediately. Let stand for 5 minutes to let the smoky flavor of the tempering diffuse into the dal. Stir well to combine and serve hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings

More urad dal recipes from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Urad Dal with Tomatoes
Fennel Flavoured Ural Dal Soup
Urad Dal with Tomatoes, Spices and Coconut

Audio Accompaniment: Arc of Passion by Steve Roach

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Drumstick Sambar with Seared Eggplant

When I first began cooking Indian food, most of my dishes were inspired from classic north Indian cuisine. As I became more comfortable with spicing and my curiosity expanded, southern Indian creations soon became a passion. Sambars are a signature part of south Indian eating, typically serving as the first course of the meal along with rice, followed up by a brothy rasam and other vegetables dishes, such as poriyals. These thick soup-like creations can be made with any number of vegetables and are typically served with rice and other accompaniments. But sambars are substantial enough to serve as the main course of a meal, especially when served with rice and some Indian flat breads.

Drumstick features in this sambar. This is only the second time I have cooked with this vegetable — the first time it starred in a vegetable coconut sambar, but I'm already a fan. A long thin green pod, they are commonly used in Indian cuisine, often featuring in sambars as they do here.

The flavor and texture of drumsticks is quite unique. If possible, it is best to find immature drumsticks as they tend to be even woodier and more fibrous the older they are. As it is, most of the skin is removed before cooking and they are sliced into pieces before cooking as it is the soft pulpy interior that makes the vegetable so enjoyable to eat. They're also highly nourishing as sources of calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins and used to be used to treat malnutrition in Asia.

Drumsticks can be found at Asian and Indian grocery stores. Look for the smoothest pods you can find. If you can't find drumsticks you can use any vegetable that you have on hand, such as carrots, green beans, radish, asparagus or sweet potato. This dish would still be delicious, but I would highly recommend the seared eggplant even if not using drumstick. It adds a unique final lovely texture and touch.

You can also easily find prepared sambar powders at Indian grocers, but it's easy to make at home too.

Drumstick Sambar with Seared Eggplant

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: South Indian Published on January 12, 2015 Thick, hearty and spicy south Indian toor dal curry with drumsticks and fried eggplant Print this recipe Dal: 1 cup toor dal 3 tablespoons tamarind pulp 1 1/4 cups hot water 2 teaspoons sambar powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon paprika or cayenne 2 medium shallots, finely chopped 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped 1 cup water 2 to 3 drumsticks, outer layer scraped and cut into 1-inch pieces Tempering: 2 small eggplants 2 tablespoons coconut oil or other oil 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds small handful of dried curry leaves 2 teaspoons dried fenugreek leaves (methi) 1/4 teaspoon asafetida 2 to 3 red or green chilies, seeded and minced 1-inch piece ginger, minced or grated 2 tablespoons dried coconut (optional) 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice sea salt to taste fresh chopped cilantro for garnish Instructions: Thoroughly rinse the toor dal. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover with cold water, and let soak for 1 to 2 hours. Meanwhile, soak the tamarind pulp with 1 1/4 cups of hot water for 30 to 40 minutes. Strain the tamarind liquid into a bowl, squeezing out as much liquid from the pulp as possible. Discard the pulp and set the liquid aside. Drain the toor dal and transfer to a large saucepan along with the tamarind liquid, sambar powder, turmeric, paprika or cayenne, shallot, tomato and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the drumstick and simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more water as needed. Cook until the dals are soft and the drumstick is tender. Meanwhile, cut the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick rounds or half rounds depending on the size of the eggplant. Lightly salt and set aside for 15 minutes to firm up slightly. For the tempering, heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds. Stir and fry until the mustard seeds turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Add the curry leaves and fenugreek leaves to the pan, stir a few times, and then add the asafetida, chilies and ginger. Stir for a minute and then add the eggplant slices. Fry the eggplant until golden on both sides, stirring occasionally. Transfer the eggplant mixture, along with the coconut if using, into the cooked dal and stir well to combine. Simmer for another few minutes to blend the flavors, then stir in the lemon juice and salt and serve hot garnished with fresh chopped cilantro alongside a bed of fresh cooked basmati rice. Makes 4 servings

This is my contribution to My Legume Love Affair, a popular monthly event celebrating legumes, started by lovely Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook, now administered by me, and also hosted this month by me.

Other sambar recipes from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen to savor:
Butternut Squash Sambar
Tamarind Sambar
Black-Eyed Pea and Mung Bean Sambar
Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd) Sambar

On the top of the reading stack: browsing the shelves

Audio Accompaniment: sweet silence

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Simple Lemon Urad Dal

As much as I enjoy cooking, there are days when I want a meal to come together with little fuss. Dal soups and curries are always a fine choice. Nourishing and warming, oftentimes such easy preparations are the ultimate comfort food. Soothing and modestly spiced with a lemony undertone, this creamy urad dal pairs well with basmati rice. To dress the meal up a bit more, consider serving the dal with cracked black pepper rice.

Any dal could be used in place of the urad dal, such as chana, toor or mung dal. Each dal is distinctive and will change the texture and flavor of any dal dish made, so experimenting with various lentils from the pantry will result in a different taste experience each time. Though I cook with toor dal more often, I used urad dal because of the unique and creamy texture it imparts to curries and soups. In its split and skinless form, it is a rather mild dal that works well with Indian flavors.

Simple Lemon Urad Dal

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on December 17, 2014 Simple, creamy and comforting golden Indian dal curry with lemon, tomato and spices Print this recipe Dal: 1 cup skinned split urad dal 2 1/2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1 medium tomato, diced juice from 1 small lemon (2 tablespoons) sea salt to taste Tarka (tempering): 1 tablespoon oil 1/2 teaspoon brown mustard seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds small handful of dried curry leaves, crumbled 2 green chilies, seeded and minced 1/4 teaspoon asafetida Instructions: Rinse the urad dal well. Bring the water and turmeric to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in the urad dal, bring to a boil again, reduce the heat to low, and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the tomato and simmer for another 40 to 60 minutes, until the dal is soft and begins to break apart. Whisk in the lemon juice and salt and simmer, uncovered, for another few minutes. Remove from the heat. To make the tarka, heat the oil in a small skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the mustard and cumin seeds to the pan. Stir and fry until the mustard seeds turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Add the curry leaves, chilies and asafetida. Stir a few times and then pour the contents into the cooked dal. Cover the dal with the lid and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir and serve with rice and/or bread. Makes 4 servings

More urad dal recipes from Lisa's Kitchen to try:
Urad Dal with Toor Dal and Spinach and Parsley
Urad Dal with Spices
Mung Bean and Urad Dal Curry
Fennel-Flavored Urad Dal Soup

On the top of the reading stack: various printouts

Audio Accompaniment: Pete Namlook

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Vegetable Coconut Sambar

Spicy sambars are generally the first course of traditional South Indian meals, followed up by brothy and lighter rasams and other vegetable dishes, such as poriyals. These thick soup-like creations can be made up of pretty much any vegetables you have on hand and are typically served with rice and other accompaniments. A typical base for sambars is tamarind, dal and yogurt. They are substantial enough to serve as the main course of the meal, as I did with this one with some rice on the side and some Indian flat breads.

Here, an easy paste is prepared for inclusion, and the base is one of toor dal and tamarind, with eggplant, pepper, potato and drumstick as the starring vegetables. I think this must be my first time cooking with drumstick. It is easily found at Asian and Indian grocery stores. Long and skinny, it is somewhat squash like and a popular addition to curries, dal dishes and soups. It comes from the Moringa tree. In addition to the immature seed pods, which are known as the drumsticks themselves, the leaves, mature seeds and even the roots are edible.

The texture of the drumstick adds a nice contrast to the softer eggplant and potato as the outside of the drumstick stays rather firm during the cooking process. This is fiery version of sambar with toor dal, coconut, slightly bitter fenugreek and sweet tamarind. I would suggest it is best served with a hot bed of fresh cooked white rice to cut some of the heat, pappadums as an appetizer, and some Indian flat bread if you are serving as a main meal.

Vegetable Coconut Sambar

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Dakshin: Vegetarian Cuisine from South India Cuisine: South Indian Published on November 7, 2014 Simple, thick and creamy vegetable and toor dal curry with coconut, eggplant, fresh drumstick and peppers seasoned with the classic tangy and spicy flavors of south Indian cooking Print this recipe Paste: 2 teaspoons sesame or other oil 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 4 to 6 fresh red cayenne peppers, seeded and chopped 1/2 teaspoon asafetida 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 3 tablespoons coriander seeds 2 tablespoons chana dal, rinsed 5 tablespoons unsweetened dried shredded coconut 1/4 cup water Tempering: 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1 dried whole red chili, broken into bits small handful of dried curry leaves Sambar: 2/3 cup toor dal, rinsed 2 1/2 cups water 1/4 cup tamarind pulp 1 1/2 cups hot water 3 to 4 shallots, minced 1 small eggplant, diced 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped 1 drumstick, sliced 1 small potato, peeled and diced 1/2 teaspoon turmeric sea salt to taste handful of fresh chopped cilantro Instructions: To make the paste, heat the oil in frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the fenugreek seeds, cayenne peppers, asafetida, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and chana dal. Stir and fry for a few minutes until the seeds have darkened a few shades. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender along with the coconut and 1/4 cup water. Blend into a paste, adding just a bit more water if necessary. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine the toor dal and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 1 hour until the dal is very soft. Stir occasionally. Do not drain. Meanwhile, soak the tamarind pulp in 1 1/2 cups hot water for 30 minutes. Strain the tamarind liquid into a bowl, squeezing out as much liquid from the pulp as possible. Discard the pulp and set the liquid aside. Heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, chili and curry leaves. Stir for 30 to 60 seconds until the mustard seeds turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Add the shallot and stir for another 2 minutes. Add the vegetables, tamarind juice and salt to taste. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the cooked toor dal and the paste and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water if the sambar is too dry. Stir in the fresh cilantro or use as a garnish. Makes 4 servings

I'm sharing this with Jacqueline's Bookmarked recipes, hosted this month by Helen of Fuss Free Flavors. This recipe is also my contribution to My Legume Love Affair, a monthly event started by Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook, now administered by me and kindly hosted this month by Mireille of East West Realm.

More delicious sambars from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Butternut Squash Sambar
Black-Eyed Pea and Mung Bean Sambar
Bitter Melon (Bitter Gourd) Sambar
Tamarind Sambar

On the top of the reading stack: the newspaper

Audio Accompaniment: morning silence

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Indian Mung Bean and Toor Dal Soup

Sometimes a simple legume soup with loads of ginger and warming spices is just what is needed, especially when one is cold and has a tender tummy. The pictures really don't do this soup justice, but a glance at the ingredients ought to portray an idea of the goodness within. It's an easy soup to prepare and is made up with staples most cooks familiar with Indian food will likely have on hand at any given time. The addition of coconut milk adds a pleasant creaminess to the soup that tempers the spices somewhat and fills out the legumes. Earthy whole mung beans and toor dal are a match made in heaven.

Indian Mung Bean and Toor Dal Soup

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on October 9, 2014 Simple, warming and creamy Indian mung bean and split pea soup with tomatoes, carrots, coconut milk and spices Print this recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup whole mung beans 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 teaspoons brown mustard seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds 1 onion, diced 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 4 cups water, or more as needed 2 medium tomatoes, diced 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced or grated 2 red or green chilies, seeded and minced 1/2 cup toor dal or yellow split peas 1 large carrot, diced 3/4 cup coconut milk 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste Instructions: Rinse and soak the mung beans for at least 5 hours in enough water to cover. Drain, rinse, and set aside. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. When hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds. Stir for 30 to 60 seconds or until the mustard seeds turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Add the onion to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in the spices and stir for another minute, until fragrant. Add the mung beans, 3 cups of water, the tomatoes, half of the ginger and half of the chilies. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Rinse the toor dal or split peas well and add to the pan along with the remaining ginger and chilies as well as the carrot, coconut milk and another cup of water. Simmer for another 30 minutes or until the toor dal is quite tender, adding more water if necessary or desired. Season with salt and serve hot with fresh cooked white basmati rice. Makes 4 to 5 servings

This is my contribution to My Legume Love Affair, #76, a monthly event celebrating the goodness of legumes, started by Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook and now administered by me. Nupur of The Veggie Indian is kindly hosting this month.

Other mung beans dishes to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Indian Sour Mung Bean Soup
Mung Bean Paneer
Mung Bean and Tamarind Dal
Indian Style Spicy Mung Beans (Moong Dal)

On the top of the reading stack: River Cottage Bread Handbook, No.3 - Bread by Daniel Stevens

Audio Accompaniment: Christoph Berg

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Sindhi Curried Spinach and Vegetables

I adore spinach and this lusciously creamed green dish turned out to be a incredibly versatile one. Similar to the North Indian malai sak I made several years ago, this dish from the Sindh region of Pakistan is much heartier with more vegetables — potatoes, carrots, eggplant and peppers — as well as a more complex flavor. I put together this tasty curry to go along with coconut rice, but as I had lots left over, I served it the next day with scrambled eggs and later on as a chutney with samosas. This dish is perhaps not particularly photogenic, but I assure you, it's fabulous, especially considering the multiple ways you can serve this spicy vegetable-packed curry.

Sindhi Curried Spinach

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Pakistani Published on September 25, 2014 Spiced and creamed Sindhi spinach curry loaded with vegetables — delicious served as a vegetable side dish, spooned on rice or eggs, or as a thick savory chutney Print this recipe Ingredients: 1 cup channa dal 1 tablespoon coconut oil or sesame oil 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1 small red onion, diced 2 to 3 green chilies, seeded and finely chopped 1-inch piece fresh ginger, finely chopped 1 teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon amchoor powder 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon asafetida 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 small eggplant, sliced handful of green beans, trimmed and chopped 1 medium carrot, scrubbed and chopped 1 medium potato, scrubbed and cubed 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped 1 lb (450 g) spinach, trimmed and roughly chopped 1/4 cup tamarind paste 1/2 cup fresh chopped dill (or 2 tablespoons dried) 3 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves (methi), crumbled 2 teaspoons sea salt Instructions: Rinse the channa dal well under running water. Soak with enough water to cover for 1 hour. Drain, rinse, and set aside. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, toss in the cumin seeds and stir for 1 minute. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the chilies and ginger, stir for another few minutes, then add the turmeric, coriander, chili powder, paprika, amchoor and asafetida, and stir for another minute. Add the green pepper, eggplant, green beans, carrot, potato, tomatoes and half of the spinach, a few handfuls at a time. Stir often for a few minutes. Then add 1 1/2 cups of water along with the channa dal. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the dal and vegetables are tender. Stir in the tamarind to combine and then add the remaining spinach, a few handfuls at a time, along with dill, fenugreek and salt. Simmer uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes until the curry has thickened. Partially purée the mixture with an immersion blender and serve hot. Makes 6 to 8 servings

Other dishes featuring spinach to try from my kitchen:
Aloo Palak Paneer Pie
Chana Saag (Chickpea and Spinach Curry)
Saag Aloo (Spinach and Potato Curry)
Saag Paneer (Palak Paneer)

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