Parippu Chaaru Recipe
Parippu Chaaru
Kerala Dal 'Curry'
Submitted By: Taz

Ingredients:

1 Cup Split Yellow Lentils (Moong Dal / Cheru Payru Parippu) - picked and rinsed
¼ tsp Turmeric Powder (Haldi / Manjalpodi)
½ Cup Grated Unsweetened Coconut (Nariyal / Nalikeram) - fresh preferred
2-3 Fresh Green Chiles (Hari Mirch / Pacha Mulagu) - seeded and rough chopped
½ tsp Cumin Seed (Jeera / Jeerakum)
3 Small Shallots (Gradana / Ulli) - divided; 1 rough chopped and 2 sliced thin
2 tsp Ghee - can substitute coconut oil (Nariyal ka Tel / Velichenna) if desired
¼ tsp Black Mustard Seed (Rai / Kadugu)
⅛ tsp Asafoetida (Hing / Kaayam)
2 Dried Red Chiles (Lal Mirch / Chuvanna Mulagu) - broken in half and seeds removed
6-8 Fresh Curry Leaves (Kaddi Patta / Kariveppila)
Kosher Salt (Namak / Uppu) to taste

Preparation:
  1. Place your picked and rinsed dal in a large bowl and add enough water to submerge the lentils by at least 1 inch - Set aside for 30 minutes to soak at room temperature
  2. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat in a small/medium, heavy bottomed pot*
  3. Drain and rinse your soaked lentils and add to the pot along with the turmeric powder
  4. Reduce heat to a vigorous simmer and allow to cook (stirring occasionally) for 15-30 minutes or until lentils are soft (almost 'mushy')
  5. Remove lentils from heat and, using a potato masher, slotted spoon, or ladle mash the lentils - Return to low heat
  6. While the lentils are cooking, place the coconut, green chiles, cumin seed, the rough chopped shallot, and ¼ cup of water in the work bowl of a small food processor or blender and purée until a smooth paste (add water as necessary 'to keep things moving')
  7. Add the paste to the mashed lentils along with ½ cup water - Increase heat to high - Bring to a boil - Once a boil has been reached, remove from heat and set aside until needed
  8.  Heat ghee/oil in a small skillet over medium heat until shimmering - Once hot, add mustard seeds and asafoetida - Fry until mustard seeds pop (apx 15 seconds) - Add dried red chiles, curry leaves, and the thinly sliced shallots
  9. Sauté until shallots are golden brown (apx 6 minutes)
  10. Adjust seasoning of the mashed lentils and paste mixture with additional salt if needed - Transfer to a serving dish
  11. Pour the shallot/curry leaves over the top and serve hot along with basmati rice or bread of choice or as part of any Keralan/Indian meal
* Can use a 4-6 quart pressure cooker as an alternative - Place drained lentils, 2 ½ Cups clean water,
   and turmeric powder in the pressure cooker and allow to cook for 8-10 minutes once pressure is
   achieved - allow to cool naturally (do not speed process) until lid can be removed and continue
   preparation from step 5 as written

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