Pappu Pulusu is yet another staple lentil-based stew from Andhra made using a tamarind base with vegetables. This is a thin dal made with vegetables that make a good side dish for Rice.
Today's recipe is another method to make the famous Andhra way of making a lentil vegetable stew with a Tamarind base. Normally the Pappu Charu is not that sour but mildly made using tamarind, however, in this method, Amma makes use of a little more tamarind pulp that renders a little more hint of tamarind in the gravy.
Pulusu is anything that's thin in texture and we normally use tamarind in the base. Some years back, Pappu Charu was the default Sunday night comfort meal. After the hectic lunch preparation, it was this mild simple comfort food.
This is was my lunch when I had made a different menu for the family. I paired it with Hing and red chili powder seasoned potato chips. The other way of cooking arbi is the Baked Arbi.
Another version of Charu you can make is this Inguva Charu. If you are interested in other varieties, try this Nellore Style Pappucharu.
How to make Pappu Pulusu
Wash and cook Arbi in a pan till done. Arbi can be cooked in a pan of water or in the microwave. Once cooled, peel skin and chop into rounds of 1" thickness.
Chop drumstick into small pieces. Microwave for 5 -7 mins in microwave. Prep the snake gourd and wash well. Chop into small pieces. Snake gourd can be cooked in the gravy itself. Keep all the vegetables aside.
Pressure cook toor dal till done with turmeric and few drops of oil. Keep it aside.
Heat a pan with oil, add mustard, urad dal, curry leaves. When the mustard pops add the finely chopped onions. Saute till the onions turn colour. Add green chilies, red chilies. Saute for a couple of minutes.
Then add finely chopped tomatoes. Add salt, turmeric powder, simmer till the tomatoes turn soft. Then add the vegetables, saute in oil for a couple of minutes.
Next add the red chili powder, followed by the tamarind pulp. Add 1 cup water and bring to boil. When it starts boiling, simmer and cook with lid covered for 15 mins.
Serve with steaming rice and potato chips.
Boiling Vegetables in Microwave
Check out how to boil Drumstick, Arbi, Potatoes in Microwave.
Another traditional recipe is this Pappu Charu Recipe
Pappu Pulusu ~ Tamarind based lentil Stew with Vegetables
Ingredients
For the Pulusu
- 1 cup Toor Dal
- 1 medium Onion
- 1 medium Tomato
- 1/2 tsp Red Chili Powder
- 1 inch Tamarind lemon size
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
Vegetables used:
- 1 Drumstick chopped into small pieces
- 3-4 Arbi / Colocasia / Samagedda Chama dumpa
- 1 small Snack Gourd / Potlakaya
For Tempering
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/2 Urad Dal
- A Sprig Curry leaves
- 3 Green Chilies
- 1 Dry Red Chilis
Instructions
How to make Pappu Pulusu
- Wash and cook Arbi in a pan till done. Arbi can be cooked in a pan of water or the microwave. Once cooled, peel skin and chop into rounds of 1" thickness.
- Chop drumstick into small pieces. Microwave for 5 -7 mins in microwave. Prep the snake gourd and wash well. Chop into small pieces. Snake gourd can be cooked in the gravy itself. Keep all the vegetables aside.
- Pressure cook toor dal till done with turmeric and few drops of oil. Keep it aside.
- Heat a pan with oil, add mustard, urad dal, curry leaves. When the mustard pops add the finely chopped onions. Saute till the onions turn colour. Add green chilies, red chilies. Saute for a couple of minutes.
- Then add finely chopped tomatoes. Add salt, turmeric powder, simmer till the tomatoes turn soft. Then add the vegetables, saute in oil for a couple of minutes.
- Next add the red chili powder, followed by the tamarind pulp. Add 1 cup water and bring to boil. When it starts boiling, simmer and cook with lid covered for 15 mins.
- Serve with steaming rice and potato chips
Hari Chandana says
Very delicious and authentic recipe.. looks inviting 🙂
Pavani says
That's exactly how we make at home and my plate looks exactly like that with the potato chips.. Tangy, spicy, crunchy--yummy..
vidhas says
Good combination of vegetables in one shot.
sushma says
Its been years that I made this Pappu charu...urs look perfect.
The Pumpkin Farm says
new dish again for me, pack my lunch
veena krishnakumar says
lovely combo!!!!!!!looks very comforting:-)
Shema George says
looks very simple but extremely yummy!!
First time here and I love your space, so following your blog 🙂
Vardhini says
Inviting and comforting meal.
vaishali sabnani says
this is new ..wats the diff between this n sambar?...the basic ingredients r the same..rt?
Priya says
Super comforting pappu charu..
Angie's Recipes says
The stew looks comforting and flavourful
divya says
Looks super delicious and inviting..
Srivalli says
VaishaliIf you noticed I didn't use the sambar powder in this. Basically this is the difference. Sambar is littler thicker than this, while this ought to be on the lines of Rasam..:)..very slight changes but so much difference in taste.
Suma Gandlur says
My absolute favorite Valli. This is what I grew up eating each day, sans onions of course. We add a little jaggery too. My mother never made or makes sambhar. 🙂
Cool Lassi(e) says
Nice variety! I should give this Andhra style a try cause it certainly looks way simpler than the TN variety!
Kaveri says
Looks very yum!
Priya's Feast says
Wow..Pulusu luks very tempting..Thanks for sharing this recipe...
Gayathri Kumar says
Looks so inviting...
Gayathri Kumar says
Looks so inviting...
PJ says
Delicious platter Srivalli. Makes me hungry...
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
A marvelous stew! Great flavors and texture.
Cheers,
Rosa
Nalini's Kitchen says
yummy and comforting pappuchaaru.
Aarthi says
awesome curry
Rajani says
Looks really awesome, perfect answer for that 'what to cook today?!' question.