Carrot Paruppu Usili (Steamed Lentils Crumbled with Carrots)

 Carrot Paruppu Usili is a traditional South Indian dish which is made with a combination of steamed crumbled lentils and chopped vegetables. Serve it along with steamed rice and rasam for a simple weekday lunch.

Ingredients 

Finely Chopped Carrots - 1 Cup 
Soaked Channa Dhal /Toor Dhal - 1/4 Cup 
Fennel Seeds  - 1 tsp 
Black Pepper -1 tsp 
Dry Red Chilli - 1
Salt to taste 

To Temper 
Oil - 1 tsp 
Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp 
Urad Dhal - 1 tsp 
Channa Dhal- 1 tsp 
Chopped green Chilli - 1
Finely Chopped Onion - a handful 
Hing - 1/4 tsp 

Method 

To begin making the Carrot Paruppu Usili Recipe, wash and soak toor dal for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes drain the water from dal. Combine the soaked toor dal along with fennel seeds, dried red chillies, and salt in a mixer jar and grind to a coarse mix using a mixer grinder. Transfer to a bowl.

Heat an idli steamer on medium heat, with a cup of water. Grease the idli mould and keep it ready.

Now make small lemon sized balls of the prepared toor dal mix, and place it in the idli mould. Cover and steam cook for 10 minutes, until the dal mixture is cooked.

In a wide pan, add oil and heat it on medium heat, add the mustard seeds, asafoetida and let it splutter. Add the dried red chilli, curry leaves and let it crackle.

Add the cubed carrots, season with salt, mix well, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until the carrots are cooked well.

Meanwhile, remove the steamed toor dal balls, crumble it with your hands so that it resembles the sandy texture.

Once the carrots are cooked well, add this crumbled toor dal mix to the pan and mix well.

Saute for 2 minutes, until the dal crumbles are nice and crispy and switch off the heat. It is ready to be served.