Malabar spinach dal/ bachali kura pappu recipe with step by step instructions

Nutrition of Malabar spinach:

The leaves of Malabar spinach or bachali kura are a good source of vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium and iron, with many other vitamins and minerals in lower quantities. It has over 3 times more vitamin C than spinach and over 1.5times more vitamin A than kale.

Benefits of Malabar spinach:

Similar to spinach, regular consumption of Malabar spinach in the diet helps to prevent osteoporosis(weakness of bones), Iron-deficiency anaemia. Besides, it is believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases and cancers of the colon.

Bachali kura pappu is high in protein and rich in nutritious greens. They go by the name bachali in two Telugu states Telangana and Andhra, basale in Kannada.

We usually cook with masoor or tur dal(Kandi pappu) when it is cooked with dal, the sliminess is not evident though. These vibrant green leaves are thick with a spongy and juicy texture and these leaves ooze a slimy juice similar to okra.

Serves: 4 to 5
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Main course
Cuisine: India, Telangana, Andhra
Place of Origin: India
Main ingredients: bachali kura, tur dal
Author: Lohitha

Tips:

Here I am adding butter at the end of the Malabar spinach dal to enhance the taste of the dal.

Ingredients:

1 cup tur dal/red gram dal/Kandi pappu
2 cups Malabar spinach/bachali kura chopped
1 onion chopped in small size
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
5 green chillies, slit lengthwise
Salt to taste
2 cups water
2 tomatoes chopped in small size
2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp oil
1 tsp butter(optional)
1/4 cup coriander leaves

For seasoning/tadka/poppu:

1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
4 garlic cloves, crushed
2 dry red chillies
2 sprigs curry leaves
3 tsp oil
1/2 tsp hing

Boiling the dal:

Wash tur dal/ kandi pappu for 2 to 3 times
Pour water up to 2cms above the level of tur dal
Add turmeric powder and few drops of oil, cover the lid of the pressure cooker and cook up to 3 to 4 whistles

Malabar spinach dal/ bachali kura pappu with step by step instructions:

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed vessel or pan
Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dried red chillies, crushed garlic, curry leaves and hing fry until they splitter
Add green chillies, onions saute it until it gets transparent
Add Malabar spinach/ bachali kura to it and stir everything, cover the lid and cook for a minute
Add tomatoes to it and mix everything, cover the lid and cook for another minute
Add red chilli powder and salt to it mix everything and cook until oil separates
Add cooked dal to it and mix everything and bring to boil
Add water according to the consistency of the dal
And boil for 5 to 6 minutes and turn off the flame
Add coriander leaves and butter to it and close the lid for a while and serve the tastyyummiest dal