Wadiyala Pulusu (Sun dried Lentil Crispies Stew)

Blogging Marathon# 32: Letter W
Theme: A-Z Vegetarian Dishes of Andhra Pradesh
Dish: Wadiyala/ Vadiyala Pulusu (Sun dried Lentil Crispies Stew)

In Telugu, there is only one letter with the sound 'va', so for the letters V & W I didn't know how to choose the dishes. After thinking of all the appropriate words starting with w and the sound 'va' in Telugu, I decided to change the word Vadiyalu into Wadiyalu and made this lipsmacking pulusu/ stew.

This recipe is again courtesy of my mom. Every household has the tradition of making (w)vadiyalu or sun dried lentil crisps every year. My mom usually keeps me stocked up with fresh ones every time we visit India.

Today's pulusu uses (v)wadiyalu almost like a vegetable. Usually pulusus/ stews are made with a assortment of veggies, but here vadiyalu give this dish the texture and taste. This dish tastes great with some steamed rice with a dollop of ghee and a curry -- such a filling and comforting meal.

Ingredients:

Wadiyalu/ Vadiyalu (Sundried lentil crisps) - ½cup
Onion - 1 medium, thinly sliced
Tomato - 1 medium, chopped
Green chilies - 2, slit
Tamarind paste - 2tbsp
Sambar masala - 1tsp
Jaggery - 1tbsp (optional)
Cilantro leaves - 3tbsp, chopped
Salt - to taste

For Tempering:
Urad dal - ½tsp
Mustard seeds - 1tsp
Cumin seeds - 1tsp
Fenugreek seeds - ¼tsp
Dry red chilies - 2
Asafoetida/ hing - ¼tsp
Curry leaves - 8-10

Method:

• Heat 2tbsp oil in a sauce pan; fry the vadiyalu until golden. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pan, add the tempering ingredients and once the seeds start to splutter, add the chopped onions and green chilies. Cook until the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
• Next add tomatoes and cook covered until they turn mushy. Add 2cups of water, tamarind paste, sambar powder, salt and jaggery. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
• Finally just before turning off the stove, add the fried vadiyalu and chopped cilantro. Serve with steamed rice and a dry curry for a filling meal.

Logo courtesy : Preeti
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 32.

Previously on A-Z Vegetarian Dishes of Andhra Pradesh:
A for Aava Pettina Aratikaya Kura
B for Bagara Baingan
C for Chimmiri
D for Dosakaya Pachadi
E for Erra Gummadikaya Pulusu
F for Firni
G for Gongura Pulihora
H for Haleem/ Vegetarian Haleem
I for Iguru/ Vankaya-Senagapappu Iguru
J for Jonna Pindi Kudumulu

K for Kakarakaya Podi Kura
L for Lauju/ Laskora (Kobbari Lauju)
M for Menthi kura Pappu
N for Nuvvulu-Mamidikaya Pachadi
O for Onion Pachadi
P for Pindi Miriyam
Q for Qabooli Biryani
R for Ragi-Barley Sankati
S for Sheer Qurma
T for Thelega Pindi Kura
U for Upma-Pesarattu
V for Veg Dum Biryani