Menthi kura pappu, Methi dal

Menthi kura pappu (Methi dal) is a a delicious and nutritious lentil based dish prepared with toor dal, fresh fenugreek leaves / methi, onion, tomato and tempering. This South Indian style comforting menthi kura pappu / methi dal can be easily prepared at home and can be served with hot rice, dosa or even chapati.

What is Menthi / Fenugreek leaves?
Menthi/ Fenugreek leaves fragrant, flavorful and slightly bitter methi can be incorporated in a variety of dishes like dal, rice, paratha, thepla stir fry and so on.

Why menthi/methi in winter?
Methi/ Fenugreek leaves – a superfood has great impact on our health from controlling sugar, weight loss, maintain cholestrol and many more. It stores a good amount of antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C and more. Methi is one winter’s popular produce and adding it in our diet is beneficial.

TIPS TO MAKE MENTHI KURA PAPPU:
Menthi kura pappu is traditionally prepared with toor dal/ tuvar dal but you could try preparing with moong dal or tuvar dal dal and moong dal equal proportion.

Menthi kura pappu tastes great when prepared with fresh methi/ fenugreek leaves. If you feel fenugreek leaves are on very bitter side then could add whole methi leaves without chopping or add less fenugreek leaves.

How to make menthi kura pappu?

• Wash and pressure cook toor dal with cumin seeds, salt, turmeric and water.
• Pluck fenugreek leaves discarding stem. Wash thoroughly. Chop and keep it aside.
• Heat oil in a pan/ kadai to it add mustard seeds, dry red chilli, garlic, hing, chopped onion and green chilli. Saute well then add add turmeric powder, tomato and chopped menthi. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Finally add cooked dal to menthi mixture with some water. Let it boil for a minute or 2; turn off flame serve pappu hot with rice.