Tomato Dal and Capsicum Fry

For today's lunch, I made Capsicum Fry and Tomato Dal. I used Idli powder or podi which I brought it from India on my last visit. My sister's MIL has made ginger pickle and this podi for me with so much love and patience :). My friend Madhu has recently posted an article on how to make the powders/podis and they are mindblowing. You can check them on her site. These powders/podis are very useful in everyday's curries and taste like heaven. So here is how to make the simple Tomato Dal and Caps curry.

I have carefully preserved the podi in a zip lock bag:).

I am sending this entry Tomato Dal to Sanghi's Tomato Event.

And look at this tomato doesn't it look like Lord Ganesha :).

 

Tomato Dal

Serves - 2-3 people
Cooking and Preparation Time - 20-30 mins

Ingredients:

Kandhi Pappu/Toor Dal - 1/2 cup
Chana Dal - 1 tbsp optional
Onions - 1 small finely chopped
Tomatoes - 3 each cut into 2-3 pieces
Green Chillies - 2
Chilli powder-1/2 tbsp or according to your spice levels
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Asafoetida -  a pinch
Few curry leaves
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Dry Red chillies - 2
Tamarind water - 1/2 cup
Water 1.5-2 cups
Salt to taste
Oil - 2-3 tbsp

Method :

1. Wash the dals properly and pressure cook along with enough water, turmeric powder, tomatoes, a pinch of salt and drop of oil then keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add asafoetida, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies. When they start to splutter add chopped onions, curry leaves, green chillies and fry.
3. Now add chilli powder and tamarind water and bring to a boil.
4. Add the cooked dal and mix well.
5. Cook for 5-10 mins on medium heat and the dal is ready.
6. Serve hot with rice and your favorite curry with papads.

Capsicum Curry

Serves - 2 people
Preparation Time - 15 mins approx

Ingredients :

Capsicums - 2 cut into small pieces
Onion - 1 small finely chopped
Green chillies - 1
Few curry leaves
Coriander chopped - 1/4 cup
Urad Dal or Chana Dal - 1/4 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Chilli powder - 1/4 tbsp or less because Idli powder will make up the rest
Salt to taste
Oil - 2 tbsp

Method :

1. Heat oil in a nonstick pan , add chana or urad dal , mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves. When they start to splutter add chopped onions, green chillies, turmeric powder, chilli powder and saute.
2. Add Capsicum pieces, salt (less since Idli powder already has salt) and saute well.
3. Cook covered for approx 10 mins and the curry will be done.
4. Now turn off heat, add Idli powder and mix well.
5. Serve hot with rice or rotis.