I go to Indian groceries with mixed feelings: I’m excited about all the different Indian produce and ingredients that I’m about to buy, but at the same time I’m extremely worried about the bill that I have to pay at the end of my shopping spree. We go to Indian grocery may be once in 2 months and I don’t remember the bill ever being less than $150.
I get so excited seeing my favorite baby eggplants, bright green karelas (bitter gourds) and those ripe juicy mangoes, but my bubble bursts when I look at the prices. Well that doesn’t stop me from shopping there, but it just makes me disappointed that I’ve to pay a buck for 2 stems of curry leaves whereas my mom has endless supply of it right in her back yard. Life’s not fair.
Well the reason for my rambling is because the price I paid for this bachali kura almost made me cry thinking of the plant we had in our backyard back home. But as I said nothing stops, we still have to buy and eat. On a happier note, this dal tastes awesome. I like bachchali kura since it has a very mild, almost sweet taste and cooking with moong dal accentuates this sweetness and is just perfect with steamed hot rice with a dollop of ghee and some of that panchadara avakaya on the side. This makes life perfect or at least masks all the imperfections.
Ingredients:
Moong dal – 1 cup
Bachchali kura (Malabar spinach/ red pohi) – 2 -3 cups, chopped finely
Green chilies – 2
Tomato – 1 medium, chopped
Turmeric – ¼ tsp
Salt – to taste
For tempering:
Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Dry red chili – 2, broken
Hing (asafetida) – a pinch
Curry leaves – 8
Method:
- Pressure cook moong dal along with the greens, tomato, green chili and turmeric until completely cooked.
- Heat 2tsp oil in a medium sauce pan, add the tempering ingredients and once the seeds start to splutter add the cooked dal and salt.
- Add ½ cup of water if dal seems too thick. Simmer on medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes or until the flavors combine. Enjoy!!
We had our pappu with some steamed rice and chamadumpala vepudu (colacassia fry)..
Sending this dal over to My Legume Love Affair (MLLA) # 39 event hosted by Cathy @ What would Cathy Eat?
Oops never knew herbs and veggies are that expensive there. try to grow your own. the dal looks great.
ReplyDeletePavani .. Yummy dish. I know what you re talking about. We go to the Indian store once in 2 to 3 months only and our bill is never less than $300 and I stock up on all my dals and rice .. Am I overbuying? LOL.
ReplyDeleteVardhini
Event: Herbs and Flowers - Garlic
Everything cost a lot these days. I think 150 $ every two month is not that much. Dal looks so so good.
ReplyDeletewow, bachali koora pappu looks very delicious... i like it with potato fry on the side :-)
ReplyDeleteI guess every one feels the same when visiting Indian store..
Super healthy and hearty dish! the tempering gives a 3D effect to the pic... lovely.
ReplyDeleteKrithi's Kitchen
Event: Serve It - Steamed
Flavourful n comforting dhal
ReplyDeleteThis is so delicious and comforting :)
ReplyDeleteTell me it! The Indian store bill is always over $100 and I usually go to Jackson Heights for Indian groceries. In emergencies I purchase at the near by Indian store and their prices are ridiculously high.. :(
ReplyDeletePappu looks great!
I did not realize until recently that the basket of greens at the store were bachali aaku. Surely going to try out your recipe when I get some.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain, the prices are just ridiculous and we have this one good store in the neighborhood and its their monopoly over the prices.
And really, whats with the curry leaves! Because of the high cost I add a mere leaf or two for each dish and it really does not make any difference, I can just as well skip it :)
A buck for two sprigs of curry leaves indeed. I couldn't agree more, and those Indian grocery stores seem to be getting more expensive by the day. But like you, I too get excited at the thought of veggies I can't find anywhere else. This delicious dish surely looks like it was worth the trouble-- and expense. :)
ReplyDeleteChaala yummy ga undi! Wonderful click too!
ReplyDeleteJust mouthwatering...looks so easy to prepare and delicious!
ReplyDeletePlatter looks delicious nd comforting
ReplyDeleteI hear ya ~ my hubs tease me for racking me up the bill as well..lol..
ReplyDeleteThe dish sounds really delicious n of course comforting :)
USMasala
Such a comforting dish
ReplyDeletelovely n healthy side dish
ReplyDeletehttp://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/
Dal looks heavenly..will you not be able to grow them in your back yard? I remember you having a lovely patch.
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity I had to see if it was possible to grow a curry plant over here on the North East Coast (I live in NY) after reading about your ordeal with over priced ingredients. I came upon this article in my search http://www.ehow.com/how_7659138_grow-curry-leaves-sun-room.html . I am going to attempt this even though it does seem like a lot of work and I live in a small space. LOL, if it works I will then attempt to make your delicious looking Bachchali kura Pappu. YUM!!!
ReplyDelete