Friday, December 12, 2008

MUDDA PAPPU




Mudda Pappu is the comfort food of Andhras. Pressure cooked tur dal, mashed and salted is served as a first course in the Andhra traditional meal, and is eaten mixed with hot steamed white rice, a dollop of ghee and the famous Andhra avakai (mango pickle). No words can describe the down to earth flavor of the dal and comfort of this delicious combination. Its sure manna from heaven!!
Preparation of ‘mudda pappu’ is very simple. When cooked right, these lentils which are chewy yet tender, are very flavorful and comforting. Traditionally, Indian toddlers and children are fed a nutritious diet of lentil and rice with a dollop of ghee during their growing up years.

Ingredients:
1 cup kandi pappu (toor dal)
salt to taste
approx 1 1/2 cups water (enough water for the dal to immerse)


Method:

  1. Roast toor dal lightly in a heavy bottomed vessel on medium heat till light brown, The dal can be pressure cooked even without dry roasting. Its your choice.
  2. Add just enough water to the dal till it is immersed. Pressure cook it. Once cooked, add salt to taste and mash it well.
  3. Serve with hot steamed rice, clarified butter (ghee) and avakai (mango pickle) or any pickle of you choice. Other than this combination, most Andhra homes, eat mudda pappu normally in combination with a tangy-sweet flavored gravy called “theepi pulusu” or chaaru.

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