Fenugreek Leaves Patodi

Menthi Akulu Patoli.

Patoli is a dry South Indian curry made of dal or combination of dals / lentils. Here, patoli is prepared by first soaking the dals and grinding it into coarse paste. The ground paste is then pressure cooked and crumbled into powder. Oil is tempered with spices and fenugreek leaves are cooked in it along with the crumbled dal.
Makes: around 2 Servings of Fenugreek Leaves Patodi.

Ingredients:

• Fenugreek Leaves 2 Cups Packed
• Moong Dal 2 tbsps
• Chana Dal 1/2 Cup
• Toor Dal 2 tbsps
• Green Chiles 2
• Whole Red Chiles 1
• Turmeric Powder a big Pinch
• Salt to taste

Talimpu:

• Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
• Broken Red Chiles 3
• Asafoetida a pinch
• Curry Leaves 4
• Oil 1 tbsp

Method of preparation:

Soak moong dal, chana dal, toor dal in fresh water for couple of hours.
Refresh the soaked dals in fresh water.
Grind the soaked dals into somewhat coarse paste adding enough water.
Mix few pinches of salt into coarsely ground dals mixture.
Spread the ground dals mixture onto a wide vessel.
Pressure cook the dals mixture for 3 whistles.
Remove the cooked dals mixture and crumble it with help of fingers into coarse powder.
If the dal mixture is cooled off, use a food processor to do the same job.

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat , add red chile and fry till it changes color. Remove it onto a plate and finely crush with along with a pinch of salt.
Into the same pan with remaining oil, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When urad dal changes color, add green chiles, fenugreek leaves and salt.
Stir in crumbled dal mixture, crushed red chile, turmeric powder.
Cook covered for few minutes and uncover and fry for a minute or two to let evaporate any leftover moisture.
Adjust any seasonings if required.
Serve fenugreek leaves patoli with steamed rice and dollop of ghee.
Notes: Make sure not to add too much water while grinding the dals.

Suggestions: Check the pressure cooked dal mixture by piercing a toothpick in the middle to make sure it is done.
Variations: You can also add few tablespoons of urad dal to other dals if you wish.
Other Names: Fenugreek Leaves Patodi, Menthi Akulu Patoli, Methi Paruppu Usli.