Palakura Pappu (Spinach Dal)

Ingredients:

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

For seasoning/poppu/tadka:
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp 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 tsps oil

Method:

1. In a pressure cooker, place dal, palak leaves, onions, green chillis and turmeric pwd. Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water and pressure cook upto 2 whistles. If cooking over stove top, cook till the dal is almost cooked.
2  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.
3  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.
4  Serve with white rice and a stir fry dish.

Curry leaf powder / karivepaku podi

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Chana dal
1 bag Curry leaves
few Garlic(optional)
4-5 number Green chilies (chopped)
1/2 + 1/2 tsp Methi seeds and cumin seeds
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tbsp Oil
1 tbsp peppercorns
to taste Salt
few piece tamarind

Method:

1. In a pan heat oil.Add mustard seeds,methi & cumin seeds & mix them. 
2. Add chana dal, peppercorns,tamarind & cook all of them on low heat.
3. As chana dal gets the color, add green chilies & garlic.Cook till chilies become dry.
4. Once green chilies starts drying, add curry leaves & hing powder.Cook on a low heat till curry leaves dry out. 
5. Add a pinch of salt & allow the mixture to cool down.
6. Blend the mixture & add salt to the powder if required