How to make Andhra style Spinach Dal - Palakoora Pappu

"Pappu" means cooked lentils in telugu.  The Pappu has a special place in the south Indian food culture especially in Andhra Pradesh.  The lentils play a special role as the main source of proteins for vegetarians in South India.

A homely Andhra style meal is never complete without having "Pappu" as a part of the meal. One of the Pappu which is made with spinach is called as "Pala koora pappu" which is a delicious dal using spinach greens.   It is full of proteins and is nutritious.  Let us see how to prepare Palakoora pappu...

Ingredients:

• 1 small cup tur dal/red gram dal/kandi pappu
• 2 cups chopped and tightly packed palakura/palak/spinach leaves
• 1 chopped onion
• big pinch turmeric powder
• 2-3 green chillis, slit lengthwise
• 1/2 tsp chopped ginger
• salt to taste
• 1 1/2 cups water, approx

For seasoning:

• 1/2 table spoon  mustard seeds
• 1/2  table spoon  cumin seeds
• 1/2 table spoon  urad dal/minappa pappu/split gram dal (optional)
• 3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 dry red chillis, de-seed and tear
• 10-12 fresh curry leaves
• 2-3  table spoons of  oil

Method of preparation of Palakoora pappu

• Place dal, palak leaves, onions, green chillis, ginger and turmeric powder in a pressure cooker.  Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water and pressure cook up to 3 whistles. 
• Now heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel, add mustards seeds and as they jump around, add cumin seeds, urad dal, garlic, red chillis and curry leaves and stir fry for half a minute.
• Add this to the pressure cooked dal along with salt and combine. Cook on slow to medium flame for 5-7 mts without lid or till you get the consistency of your choice.
• Serve with white rice.