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Bachali kura pappu
బచ్చలి కూర పప్పు: dal with Malabar spinach and a garlic-red chilli tadka
Bachali, or Malabar spinach, climbs over back walls all across Telangana and Andhra, and its thick, glossy leaves go into this everyday pappu that turns up at lunch several times a month with rice, ghee and a pickle. The leaves give the dal a silky body and a faint lemony note. People often overcook it until the greens turn khaki; add them after the dal is soft and cook just long enough to wilt. Chef's tip: use the tender stems too, chopped small; they add a pleasant crunch.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the dal
- 5 ½ oz toor dalrinsed
- 2 ½ cups water
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 small onionchopped
- 3 green chilliesslit
- 1 tsp tamarind paste
- 1 tsp salt
For the tadka
- 1 ½ tbsp oil
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp urad dal
- 5 garlic clovescrushed
- 10 curry leaves
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Pressure-cook 5 ½ oz toor dal with 2 ½ cups water and ¼ tsp ground turmeric for 3 whistles (about 12 minutes) until soft. Mash lightly.
15 minStep 2: In another pan simmer 1 small onion and 3 green chillies with a splash of the dal for 3 minutes, then add 7 oz Malabar spinach (bachali) leaves and tender stems and cook 3–4 minutes until just wilted and bright green.
7 minStep 3: Tip the greens into the dal with 1 tsp tamarind paste and 1 tsp salt and simmer 3 minutes.
3 minStep 4: Heat 1 ½ tbsp oil, crackle ½ tsp mustard seeds, add 1 tsp urad dal until red-gold, then 2 dried red chillies, 5 garlic cloves and 10 curry leaves for 30 seconds. Pour over the dal and serve hot.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 195 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 27 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 7 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bachali kura pappu take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of toor dal?
- Red lentils (masoor dal) (cook 10 minutes less).
- What can I use instead of ground turmeric?
- Leave it out (it mostly adds colour).
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