Pesara Pappu Kura for Poori is a simple comforting side dish made with Split Yellow Moong Dal. My bond with this simple dish goes back to my growing up years.
Pesara Pappu means Yellow Moong Dal in Telugu. As in Hindi, Dal refers both to the dish and the lentil. Kura in Telugu refers to any liquid side dish served with either Rice or Indian Bread.
It was the year 1993, could significantly be said as the year I started cooking on my own. Parents used to host a lot of parties and it was always me who did all the setting and ad hoc things. Amma was the chief chef and me her assistant. Amma used to spellbound our guest with the items she used to dish up and I used to get appreciated just for the simple reason that I was her daughter. I used to wonder if I will ever be able to dish up so many items if I ever try. But that was a time when I had not even started cooking on my own.
Then came the Khana Khazana. And the world changed. I guess for many that were the period that drastically changed one's attitude towards cooking. Sanjeev Kapoor used to make everything sound so simple. And we were hooked to the TV. Everything he showed was repeated at home and much to the joy of all, they used to taste heaven. I used to amuse myself with Soufflés, Mousses or Cakes.
Simple dals were way beneath me!. I used to have my nose tipped at the sky each time somebody appreciated my cooking skills and used to think that regular cooking would be a cake walk. Then it happened one fine Sunday morning. Sunday Mornings are always Poori mornings at home, even now too. The side dishes that Amma used to make varies from Channa to Potatoes or the simple Moong Dal. That morning it so happened that we didn't soak channa or had potatoes at hand. So I thought making Pesarapappu or Yellow Moong Dal for Poori would be a breeze.
Little did I know then what a trepidation it would be. Even that simple dal proved to be the testing task for me. I thought what a big deal, just put everything in cooker put it on for some whistle and then tamper it...boy was I wrong! After my ordeal with this simplest one, I realized the dal should not be over cooked, should not add all onions nor should I add tamarind. What else goes into this? the smallest measure of onions, with just one tomato and the tadka...great. Never did I realize I would get such a bowing to what cooking was. That was a humbling experience. After that incident, my recreations of this dish has come out with flying colors. But I have never forgotten that learning experience.
My liking to this dal has increased now more because my daughter eats this without much complaint. So here is the dish for a lazy Sunday brunch.
On the subject of favorite breakfast, I love all breakfast items, with dosa topping the list, of course maybe next to Pooris. But anything Tiffen is to my liking. In fact, wanted to have series on Dosa varieties. Will be coming out with that!
Step by Step Pictures for Making Dal
Recipe
Pesara Pappu Kura for Poori
Ingredients
For the Dal
- 3/4 cup Split Yellow Moong Dal / Pesera pappu
- 2 medium Tomatoes
- 3 Green Chillies
- A pinch Turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
For Tempering /Tadka
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 2 Dry Red Chillies
- Few Sprigs Coriander Leaves
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash the moong dal couple of times. In a pressure cooker, take the dal, along with turmeric powder, cumin seeds, chopped tomatoes, green chillies. Add enough water and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Let the pressure fall down.
- Transfer the dal to a bowl, wash the cooker and heat with oil. Temper with cumin seeds, dry red chilies, then add the cooked dal and salt to taste. Add enough water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 mins. Garnish with coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with Pooris.
Notes
Apple says
Nice recipe Srivalli...simple n easy too...I add some lemon juice and remove tomatoes to it to make moong dal rasam..will try this version too...
My fav breakfast item is Pesarattu Upma..:D, with kobbari chutney
bhags says
Never have tasted pooris with daal...seems easy and quick and comfortable also
Rachna says
ive had dal with roti , not with pooris!! looks like i shud dig in....
Siri says
Hi Srivalli,
Pesarapappu is my favorite.. I like it more than toor dal ... simple and healthy recipe srivalli and I always eat poori with dal though ppl around me wud be annoyed by that.. hehe..:D
musical says
Simple, and yummy! That platter is the perfect lunch!
Suganya says
Never had poori with dal... Simple yet tasty!
Latha Narasimhan says
I too like this dal sri! mainly because it cooks fast by the time you cut onions and tomatoes! Best side dish when you have not planned for channa or aloo!
sra says
Ha ha, even I used to amuse myself with 'high-class' cooking, never the everyday stuff!
Asha says
So simple and those kinds rock, I think.Looks so yummy, wish O could steal that plate!:))
Pooja V says
I have never had dal & poori. A good , simple and neat combo.
Sia says
LOL... i would try to cook some exotic dish and learnt the basics only after getting married;)
moong dal is a very regular dish at our home. comforting yet delicious.
Padma says
Sri this is one healthy kura that slides down your throat effortlessly
Nice recipe...we eat this with rice too
bee says
the colour is lovely. my favourite breakfast? hot steamed plantains, toast and jam, and cereal in that order.
Cynthia says
Well, you know how I feel about dal - any dal: love it!
Roopa says
Sri this a very good comfoting side dish i make with rotis usually:)
A kitchen scientist & a white rat hubby!!! says
a simple n humble treat, isn't it...sri??..
Sharmi says
why do you call it koora? look yum.
Srivalli says
Suganya, then you try this out, it tastes yummy
Apple, thanks..do try and let me know. Its good to know that your fav is Pesarattu Upma with kobbari chutney. I always like it when my amma makes it.
Lathamma, you are correct. But we like it as a prepare dish too
sra, glad that I have company!
Asha, you are welcome to it ..:)
bhags, then you must try this out..
Pooja, well now is the perfect reason to try it this
Sia, nice to know that
Rachna, then a good reason to try out this..
Siri, nice to know you like this. Thanks
musical, agree with you
Padma, yeah I have prepared this with ghee rice...thanks
bee, thanks, coming from you thats really great...wow you eat one healthy beakfast bee
Cynthia, thats very nice to know
Roopa, yeah thats really nice tooSona, agree with you on that
Sharmi, at home anything thats liquid form is called koora..:)...though this is more of pappu..:)
SeeC says
Nice one srivalli. Very easy to prepare. Our default combo.